Drei Schwarz Krähen Akkorde

Dieses Lied ist ein Kommentar zum Ruhm. Mit der Linie, Wenn alle mich lieben, werde ich niemals einsam sein, der Unterzeichner Adam Duritz sagt - mit mehr als einem Hauch von Sarkasmus -, dass Ruhm alles besser machen wird (niemals einsam wird wiederholt, um die Nachricht nach Hause zu bringen: Dieser Typ Ist wahnsinnig). Als es der erste Hit für die Band wurde, wurde Duritz plötzlich überall in Amerika erkannt, was er unermüdlich fand. Die neugeborene Berühmtheit schickte ihn plötzlich in einen längeren Funk, er sang selbst ein Lied zum Träume von Ruhm, als er ganz bitter war. Mit dem Lied, das seine Schwierigkeiten widersetzt, kam er, um es zu singen. Duritz hörte auf, über ein Jahr zu schreiben, und das Zählkrähen zweiten Album, Wiederherstellen der Satelliten. Wurde erst drei Jahre nach ihrem Debüt freigelassen. Rückblick auf das Lied in unserem 2013 Interview mit Adam Duritz. Er erklärte, dass, obwohl es töricht ist zu denken, dass die Schmeichelei des Ruhmes Ihre Probleme lösen wird, seine schwer zu widerstehen. Sagte Duritz: Du sollst diesen Kerl durchschauen: Wenn alle mich lieben, wird ich niemals einsam sein. Du solltest wissen, dass das nicht wahr ist. Für eine Sache, theres keine so etwas wie jeder mich liebt. Niemand kennt dich in diesem Fall. Also wusste ich, dass das nicht so passieren würde. Aber du willst es immer noch: Du willst das Leben einfacher sein, du willst ein Rockstar sein, also ist es einfacher, mit einem Mädchen zu sprechen. Es ist die gleiche verrückte Person, die dort mit dem Mädchen später sitzt. Also macht es keine Dinge. Mr. Jones ist Marty Jones, ein Freund von Leadsängerin Adam Duritz. Bevor Duritz sich Zählkrähen anschloss, waren sie in einer Band zusammen, die Himalaja genannt wurde. Dies wurde von dem Sänger Adam Duritz und dem Gitarristen David Bryson geschrieben (die anderen drei Bandmitglieder erhielten auch Komponisten). Auf einer Episode von VH1s Storytellers. Adam erklärte: Es ist wirklich ein Lied über meine Freundin Marty und ich. Wir gingen eine Nacht aus, um seinen Vater zu sehen, sein Vater war ein Flamenco-Gitarrist, der in Spanien (David Serva) lebte und er war in San Francisco in der Mission Spielte mit seiner alten Flamenco-Truppe. Und nach dem Konzert gingen wir alle an diese Bar namens New Amsterdam in San Francisco auf Columbus und wir wurden völlig betrunken. Und Marty und ich saßen an der Bar und starrten auf diese beiden Mädchen und wünschten, es gäbe etwas, damit wir mit ihnen reden könnten, aber wir waren zu schüchtern. Wir scherzten uns gegenseitig, wenn wir große Rockstars statt eines solchen Verlierers waren, wäre es einfach. Ich bin in dieser Nacht nach Hause gegangen und ich habe ein Lied darüber geschrieben. Ich scherze darüber nach, was die Geschichte ist. Aber es ist wirklich ein Lied über all die Träume und all die Dinge, die dich dazu bringen, in das zu gehen, was es ist, das dein Herz ergreift, ob es sich um einen Rockstar handelt oder ein Arzt oder was auch immer ist. Diese Sachen laufen von all dem Zeug, das ich in mir hineingelegt habe, ich möchte Mädchen treffen, weil ich es nicht müde bin. Es ist eine Menge dieser Dinge, seine über all diese Träume, aber seine auch Art von Vorsicht, weil es darum geht, wie fehlgeleitet Sie über einige dieser Dinge und wie hohl sie auch sein können. Wie der Charakter in dem Lied sagt immer wieder: Wenn alle mich lieben, werde ich niemals einsam sein, und du solltest wissen, dass das nicht so ist, wie es sein wird. Das wusste ich schon damals Und das ist ein Lied über meine Träume. Duritz zeigte später, dass der Typ an der Bar, die die Mädchen bekam, Kenney Dale Johnson war, der Chris Isaaks Schlagzeuger war. Viele Leute dachten, Mr. Jones sei ein Hinweis auf einen Charakter in der Bob Dylan Lied Ballade eines dünnen Mannes. Dylan wird erwähnt, die Linie, die ich sein will Bob Dylan, Mr. Jones wünscht, er war jemand nur ein wenig mehr funky. Die Beatles erwähnen Bob Dylans Charakter in ihrem Lied Yer Blues. Die Linie ist so selbstmörderisch, genau wie Dylans Mr. Jones. Adam Duritz: Das ist ein Lied, das sehr falsch interpretiert wurde, um es gelinde auszudrücken. Ich denke, die Leute sehen oft zu Symbolik in Liedern, wenn sie einfacher sind als sie scheinen. Das ist besonders viel einfacher, als es für viele Leute scheinen muss. Ich habe alles davon gehört, dass es sich um einen alten Blues-Mann handelt, der mich dazu beigetragen hat, Musik zu spielen, was völlig lächerlich ist, aber wie irgendjemandes Filmphantasie. Ive hörte auch seine über meinen Schwanz, was noch lächerlicher ist. Als wir das Interview für Rolling Stone gemacht haben. Ich ging mit David Wilde in den Musee dOrsay in Paris eines Tages und das erste, was passiert war diese beiden Kinder lief zu uns und sagte, Hey Youre der Kerl aus Zählen Krähen, richtig Und ich sagte, ja. Und er sagte: Ist Mr. Jones von deinem Schwanz, ich wollte den Kerl töten, weil ich wusste, wo das am Ende war, was der erste Absatz des Artikels in Rolling Stone ist. Dies war die erste Single, die von Counting Crows veröffentlicht wurde und auch ihr größter Hit. Der Name der Bands bezieht sich auf eine Phrase Zählkrähen, die sinnlos bedeutet, wie in, das ist ungefähr so ​​sinnlos wie das Zählen von Krähe. Anregungskredit: Robb - Pittsburgh, PA Alle Bandmitglieder sind riesige Fans der Gruppe Big Star. Bei der Durchführung dieses Liedes am Samstag Nacht Live. Duritz änderte die Linie Ich möchte Bob Dylan zu Ich möchte Alex Chilton sein. Alex Chilton ist der Frontmann für Big Star, und Alex Chilton war der Name des Liedes von The Replacements. Im Replacements-Song nannten sie ihn als einen unsichtbaren Mann mit einer sehr sichtbaren Stimme. Anregung Kredit: Steve - Chino Hills, CA Dieses Lied bezieht sich auf eine tanzende Frau namens Maria: Schneiden Sie Maria, zeigen Sie mir eine von ihnen spanischen Tänze. Dieser Charakter erscheint in vielen ihrer Lieder. Sie ist das Hauptthema ihrer zweiten Single, ringsherum: Maria sagt, dass sie sterben, durch die Haustür, ich sehe sie weinen, und Maria kam aus Nashville mit einem Koffer in der Hand. In Mrs. Potters Lullabye, Duritz singt, Theres ein Stück Maria in jedem Lied, das ich singe. Sie wird auch auf dem Hintergrund geschrieben auf dem Cover von August und alles nach. Die Identität von Maria ist niemals offenbart worden, was viele zu glauben macht, dass sie keine wirkliche Person ist, sondern ein Symbol für Einsamkeit, Verlangen oder Ähnliches. Anregungskredit: Alden - College Park, MD Wie einige große Hits der Mitte der 90er Jahre, wurde dieses Lied nicht als Single in Amerika freigegeben, das es von der Billboard Hot 100 Chart hielt, aber meinte, dass die Fans das ganze kaufen müssten Album, um es zu hören. Der Trick arbeitete, mit dem Verkauf von August und alles nach Topping 7 Millionen. Das Lied erreichte 5 auf Billboard s Airplay Chart, die in die Hot 100 im Jahr 1998 integriert wurde. Andere Hit-Songs der Ära, die werent als Singles veröffentlicht Dont Speak von No Doubt und Torn von Natalie Imbruglia. Duritz wurde angeklagt, den Sha-la-la-la-la von Van Morrisons klassischen Brown Eyed Girl zu heben. Das ist weit von der Wahrheit entfernt, sagte er Entertainment Weekly. Ich habe viel von diesem Flack bekommen, sagte er. Ich warf einen Sha la la als Witz auf den Rekord. Das nächste, was ich kenne Im das zweite Kommen des Belfast Cowboy ein Morrison Spitzname. Ich verstehe es nicht. Ich kann sehen, wo ich von seinem Gesang gelernt habe. Aber all diese anderen Schriftsteller springen auf sie als einen einfachen Bezugspunkt. Kommentare: 59 Ich dachte immer an Mr. Jones als den unheimlichen Typus. Ya kenne die eine whos eine beste freundin und hat was du die besten intentionen noch hilfst oder dir erlaubt, irreführend richtig zu sein. Objektiv hat es einen spirituellen oder metaphysischen Sinn mit den Texten Mr. Jones und ich starren in die Zukunft und erzählen einander Märchen. Meistens wie die gute Reise dude auf Gott und die Ricky Nelson Bedeutungen glaube ich in einem Ausmaß. Wenn jeder mich liebt, werde ich niemals einsam sein, was ist mit dir zu lieben, um zu erkennen, dass niemand einsam wird. Die geheime Furcht vor allem ist allein. Es ist wie das Lied Glycerin aus der gleichen Zeit von Busch. Wir leben in einem Rad, wo jeder stiehlt, wenn man seine wie Strawberry Fields realisiert. Recht Nichts, um richtig zu hängen Das Leben ist einfach mit den Augen halb geschlossen, Missverständnis alles, was du siehst. Es wird schwer, jemand zu sein, aber alles klappt aus. John Doe - Tulsa, Ok Weiß jemand über die Sänger, die in der letzten Hälfte des Songs zu hören sind. Große Arrangement ihres Gesangs. Ein zeitloses Lied Bocknobby - Toronto, On Lass mich diesen Kommentar mit der folgenden Aussage vorstellen: Ich verstehe, dass dies nicht die Bedeutung des Autors war, sondern nur, wie das Lied mit mir spricht. Das heißt, hier geht nichts. Ich habe vor kurzem nach dem Glauben gesucht und erkannt, dass meine eigenen Überzeugungen am besten schwach gehalten werden. Ich bin verzweifelt bemüht, die Wahrheit zu finden, aber ich bin ständig von meinen weltlichen Wünschen abgelenkt, und obwohl ich oft fühle, dass der Herr zu mir spricht, in meiner Arroganz ich am Ende versuche, für seine Herrlichkeit zu nehmen. Dieses Lied fühlt sich wie diese Geschichte für mich. Ich saß in einer Bar, die nach einer Frau trinkte und trinkend war, als der Geist Jesu (Mr. Jones) mit dem Herzen einer Frau namens Maria (Maria) zu sprechen begann. Sie fängt an zu tanzen, wie Mr. Jones Vater (Gott) die Musik (Gitarre) für sie spielt, und ich erkenne plötzlich, wie spirituell schön sie ist - und ich wünschte, dass ich so schön sein könnte. So kämpfe ich mit dem Schweigen in meinem eigenen Verstand (die Abwesenheit des heiligen Geistes in meinem Leben) durch die metaphorische Nacht bis zum Morgengrauen (die Erkenntnis, dass ich Christus in meinem Leben brauche). So bitte ich Maria, weiter für mich zu tanzen, damit ich lernen kann, wie sie ihre freudige Hingabe im Herrn nachahmt und Jesus bittet, mir die Flasche zu übergeben (fülle mich mit dem Heiligen Geist). Ich bitte Gott, an mich zu glauben, denn ich erkenne, dass ich nicht wirklich an irgendetwas glaube (ich eingeschlossen), und ich möchte jemand sein, der glaubt. Jesus und ich gehen zusammen und reden über die Dinge, die ich glaube, glaube ich (Märchen), und wir starren auf die schönen Frauen, Er bei ihren Geistern, ich an ihren Körpern. Mein Instinkt sagt mir, sie schauen ihn an, aber meine Arroganz sagt nein, nein, sie sehen mich an. Ich starre in die Lichter, die aus zwei verschiedenen Richtungen kommen (die physischen Lichter der weltlichen Dinge und das spirituelle Licht der Wahrheit Gottes), ich weiß, dass, wenn jeder dich liebt (Christus) niemand jemals wieder einsam sein wird. Ich male das Bild meines Lebens, ich male mich in Blau (Traurigkeit) und Rot (Wut) und Schwarz (Dunkelheit, böses Potential) und Grau (Potenzial für Gut, von meiner sündigen Natur fehlerhaft). Ich weiß, dass all diese Dinge für mein Wachstum im Leben notwendig sind und deshalb sinnvoll und schön sind, aber grau (mein Potenzial für Gut) ist mein Lieblingsspektrum von mir selbst. Ich weiß, dass, wenn ich vor den Menschen stehen und sprechen, dass ich ein Symbol für sie sein werde, aber ich bin noch nicht in der Lage zu tun, was richtig ist. Wenn ich könnte, würde ich jemanden finden, der in der Lage war, die Schönheit der Schöpfung durch das Chaos der Wirklichkeit zu sehen und von ihnen zu lernen (wie ein Picasso), wenn ich das tun könnte, würde ich vor Gott und allen aufstehen und das spielen Gitarre, während ich mich noch an meine eigene Unvollkommenheit erinnere. Jesus und ich, schau in die Zukunft meines Lebens, wir starren auf die schönen Frauen (wie oben) und ich versuche noch einmal, seine Herrlichkeit zu übernehmen. Ich stehe vor der Menge (im Rampenlicht), ich weiß endlich, wie ich richtig zu sprechen (meine graue Gitarre), aber ich versage wieder, weil ich versuche, den Kredit wieder zu nehmen, indem ich sage, dass wenn jeder mich liebt, werde ich nie sein Einsam werde ich niemals einsam sein nein Im nie gonna be, einsam Je mehr ich versuche mich zu überzeugen, dass ich derjenige sein werde, der mich glücklich macht, desto mehr werde mir bewusst, dass es nur durch Gott kommen wird. Ich möchte verzweifelt die Wahrheit mit wahrer Autorität (wie ein Löwe) sprechen, es scheint, dass jeder um mich herum zufrieden ist, als Katzen zu passieren (nur das Erscheinen der Autorität), wir alle wollen groß sein - es ist in unserer Natur, Größe zu suchen - aber wir alle haben verschiedene Gründe (manche helfen sich selbst, manche helfen anderen, manche, um Gott zu dienen). Ich bitte wieder einmal, an mich zu glauben, denn ich glaube immer noch nicht wirklich an die Freiheit Christi (wie mein fortdauerndes Versagen, Ihm die Gnade für meine Segnungen zu geben), und ich möchte jemanden sein, dem die Menschen glauben können. Jesus und ich gehen durch die schmutzigen Straßen des Barios zusammen, wir schauen immer noch auf die schönen Frauen, aber jetzt sehe ich endlich, dass sie für Christus perfekt sind, und ich weiß, dass es jemanden geben muss, der für mich richtig ist. Ich möchte ein Erzähler sein, der die Völker lebt (wie bob Dylan), Christus wünscht, Er war jemand ein bisschen funkiger (so viele Menschen stellen sich Christus als verstört vor, aber er geht mit uns sogar durch die Barrios unseres Lebens), sagt Gott Ihm (ah, Sohn), dass er so funky ist wie es wird, denn jeder liebt ihn. Christus und ich sehen das Video von meinem Leben zusammen, wenn ich es mit ihm anschaue, ich möchte in der Lage sein, direkt in meine eigenen Augen zu sehen, die zurückschauen unverschämt. Wir alle wollen großartig sein - wir wissen einfach nicht, wie man es bekommt, oder warum wir es auch wollen, aber wenn ich wie Christus werde und jeder mich liebt, ist ich endlich so glücklich wie ich sein kann. Jesus und ich würden große Stars sein. Ich hoffe, diese Interpretation beunruhigt niemanden - das beabsichtige ich nicht. Ich hoffe, dass, wenn du suchst, wie ich bin, dass dieses Lied zu dir so tief spricht wie es für mich und hilft dir auf deiner Reise. Keith - Goose Creek, Sc Ive hat dieses Lied immer als einen tieferen Sinn gesehen und der Schriftsteller verabscheut das ist ein bisschen entmutigend. Egal, ich denke nicht, dass die Künstler zwangsläufig mehr gültig sind als ein Zuhörer, also krank geben Sie mir: Das Lied ist meistens einfach, nur um Aspiration und die Erkenntnis, dass das Leben mehr als professioneller Erfolg ist. Aber ich bekomme auch die Stimmung, die er über Gott Jones kommentiert. Ich kann nicht herausgreifen warum, das ist genau so, wie ich es interpretiere. Kyle - St. Louis, Il um. Maria ist ein spanischer name. Flamenco-Tanzen ist spanisch. Also, wenn Maria immer in ihren Songs ist, warum sie nicht den Namen des Tänzers machen soll. Und sein Vater spielt die Gitarre ist Adams Freunde Vater spielen, während sie tranken. Duhhhh Liv - Long Island, Ny Tolles Lied. Das ganze Album ist toll. Ich bin erst 1996 in die Krähen gekommen. Viele Jahre zuvor hatte ich ein paar Gitarrenunterricht genommen, aber ich habe es nie wirklich verhaftet. Ich habe meine Gitarre wieder aufgeholt Im sommer von 96 und einem lied ich höre viel war Herr Jones. Ich merke, dass es 3 Jahre zuvor freigegeben worden war, aber weil ich jetzt wieder Gitarre spielte, bemerkte ich es jedes Mal, wenn es auf dem Radio kam. Ich liebte es Der Rythmus dieses Liedes. In diesem Fall hatte ich die Akkorde gelernt. Das war einer von nur wenigen Songs, die ich je gelernt hatte, nur indem ich es hörte. Sobald ich die Akkorde gelernt habe, ist der Rythmus das, was ich am meisten praktiziert habe. Ich habe jetzt Lektionen für dieses Lied im Internet gesehen und oft mal spielen sie es auf einer akustischen Gitarre. Dieses Lied klingt auf Akustik, aber es klingt am besten, wenn es so gespielt wird Ist auf dem Album mit einer E-Gitarre mit einem sauberen Ton. This ist einer der besten Songs der 90.Was auch ein tolles Album. Brian - Boston, Ma Dont wissen, ob dies bereits gepostet wurde, aber die quotNew Amsterdamquot ist jetzt die quotInternational Sports Clubquot genannt und befindet sich bei 1000 Columbus Avenue (Kreuzung mit Taylor Street) in San Francisco. CA. Anscheinend machen sie eine tolle Happy Hour mit billigem Bier. Sitzen in Adam Duritzs Sitz ist optional. Gazza - Buenos Aires, Argentinien Die Leute, eine Frage zum Satz: "Sie tanzt, während sein Vater Gitarre spielt." Wessen Vater sind sie reden, weil es nicht sein sollte, dass Quarvater Vaterin war. Zuerst dachte ich, dass der Flamenco-Tänzer der Sohn davon sein könnte Quothis Vaterquot, aber dann Herr Jones würde nicht mit einem Mann reden, rechts So ist der Flamenco-Tänzer ein Mädchen (auch wegen der QuotenShe Tänze während..quot). Kann mir jemand helfen, zu verstehen, wessen Vater der Lied über Mr. Jones Vater spricht. Heloisa Argentinien - Crdoba, Argentinien Gott dieses Lied wird wirklich alt wirklich schnell Clay - Henagar, Al Ich dachte Mr. Jones war ein Getränk in dem Lied. Xavier - Schenectady, Ny Nun, was auch immer du wählst, der Name, Mr. Jones ist ein allgemeiner Name - ein Niemand. Ein gemeinsamer Name wird irgendwie geändert werden, wenn eine Person Ruhm und Musik selbst manchmal verwandelt den Namen, wenn der Mann beocmes ein berühmter Musiker. Manchmal wird der Musiker seinen eigenen Namen behalten, aber es ändert sich oft, nachdem er Ruhm erreicht hat. Oder selten ist jeder einzelne Bandmitglied Name bekannt. Zum Beispiel kennen wir die Gruppe, die das Lied als quotCounting Crowsquot gespielt hat, aber ich konnte es immer noch nicht sagen, dass jeder indvidual Bandmitglieder name.- Hoffe das hilft. Chad - Wilmington, De Für die längste Zeit, dachte ich, Mr. Jones war eine Metapher für Einsamkeit. Immer noch ein tolles Lied Brad - Topeka, Ks Heres ein Blog über die New Amsterdam Features in den Song: frazing. wordpress20081217google-streeview Fraser - Stirling, Großbritannien Ich denke, es ist klar, dass dieses Lied über die Zeiten ist, wenn man denkt, wenn du es wäre Reich und berühmt, würden Sie alles im Leben bekommen, was Sie wünschen. Jeder, der behauptet, ein Counting Crows Fan zu sein, weiß, dass der Sänger bald entdeckte, dass dies nicht der Fall war. Das ist, warum, in Live-Versionen, die Texte ändern sich jedes Mal, Depending auf seine Stimmung Zustand. Jan - Antwerpen, - Im ein wenig bummed heraus, dass Herr Jones gerade ein Freund ist, den er mit einer Stange betrunken hat. Ich dachte immer, Herr Jones war ein kluger Euphamismus für Neid und Lust wie in Im Jonesn für etwas oder halten mit den Jones. In Jr. High School hatte ich einen Freund, dass ich schleichen und rauchen Zigaretten mit und er würde immer sagen, Im Jonesn für einen Rauch Mann Im Mr. Jones Heute. Um einen anderen Beitrag zu beantworten, gibt es mehrere gute Lieder über Heroin, auch wenn dies nicht der ist. Dead Flowers von den Steinen ist mein Favorit, aber CCKMP von Steve Earle, White Freight Liner von Townes Van Zandt und The Needle und der Schaden von Neil Young sind einige andere. Steve - Charlotte, Sc Maria ist Adam Duritz als Maria ist zu Bruce Springsteen. Ekristheh - Halath, United States Stuart, ich kenne das Nazareth-Lied, auf das du hingewiesen hast, also ist es möglich, dass die Zeilen So willst du ein Rocknroll-Star sein. Hör einfach zu, was ich sage. Hol dir dir eine E-Gitarre und nimm dir etwas Zeit und lerne Spielen erscheinen in ihm, aber diese Zeilen sind aus dem Lied So wollen Sie ein Rock and Roll Star von den Byrds sein. Es ist möglich, dass Nazareth dieses Lied zitierte. Michael - Pittsburgh, Pa ok, also wie das Heck konnte dieses Lied über einen Ding Dong Hallo Jesus, das ist nur seltsam, ive bekannt dieses Lied für immer und die Art, wie ich interpretiere, ist dies: ein Kerl hat einen Freund, der kewler als er und sie beide Willst du berühmt sein und die Mädchen bekommen, ich weiß theres mehr Möglichkeiten ein Lied kann interpretiert werden, aber ernsthaft, ein Penis Sierra - Grand Forks, Nd Ich traf tatsächlich Marty Jones beim Schreiben eines Zeitschriftenartikels über die Suche nach Maria. Er war ein echt cooler Kerl, der den Hintergrund von Mr. Jones in der Geschichte erzählt: 801mag. orgcsContentServerchildpagename801Mag2FJRNContentC2FArticleDetailcJRNContentCp1165270039399pagenameJRN2F801Wrappercid1175372067481 Steve - New York, Ny Die Stimme von Zählkrähen führt Sänger Adam Duritz ist ein großartiges Instrument. Mr. Jones stellte Musik-Fans zu Duritz erstaunliche Einrichtung bei Geschichtenerzählen im Kontext eines Liedes vor. Versuche einfach, auf Mr. Jones zu singen und nachdem du fertig bist nach Atem, du erkennst, wie phänomenal diese Leistung ist. Bertrand - Paris, Frankreich Ive gerade gerade registriert, um nur gegen einen Kommentar zu protestieren WAY oben: Ein Lied muss nicht komplex sein, um gut zu sein. Schau dir nur Rick Nelsons Garden Party an. Einfach und rein, aber flippin toller Rock n Roll. - Tony, Boston, MA Die Autoren Punkt war zu sagen, wie gibt es nicht eine tiefere Bedeutung zu einem Lied, um es gut (was ich zustimmen, tho Ich mag sinnvolle Texte) aber leider das Beispiel der Gartenparty funktioniert nicht - Gartenparty ist mit versteckten Bedeutungen verpackt. Es geht darum, wie enttäuscht Rick Nelson war, als er bei einem Konzert spielte und niemand an seinem neuen Material interessiert war, es war nicht tausend, wenn er zu einer Gartenparty ging, die mit Metaphern und Referenzen verpackt ist. Aber zurück zu Mr. Jones, liebe dieses Lied , Ein weltweiter Hit, ich hörte es sogar einmal in einer Weile in den Clubs in Spanien, als ich dort lebte, und das war 2001-2005 Cant glauben, dass ppl dachte, es sei über seinen Penis, ich bekomme gar nicht, wie das funktionieren würde Charlie - Durham, England Dieses Lied wurde nicht gelöscht, weil viele Leute noch dieses Lied lieben, ich weiß, dass ich das ich von den Zählkrähen angehoben habe. Natalie - Chiago, ich weiß nicht über dich Leute, aber ich mag dieses Lied. J - Jackson, Ga Ich kann nicht glauben, das Lied ist nicht über seine (gelöscht). Ich habe das seit 13 Jahren ernsthaft gedacht. Cory - Morden, Kanada Auch wenn es um Marty Jones in diesem Lied geht, wird Bob Dylans Mr Jones gemunkelt, um Brian Jones von den Rolling Stones Ty - Indianapolis zu sein. In Wenn Sie die Version auf dem Across A Wire - Live in New hören York-Album, das Lied beginnt mit den Texten So willst du ein Rocknroll-Star sein. Hör mal jetzt zu dem, was ich sage Hol dir eine E-Gitarre und nimm dir etwas Zeit und lerne zu spielen. Diese Texte werden direkt aus dem Nazareth Song Telegram ausgeliehen. Stuart - Liverpool. England Jeder geht über Maria eine echte Person, aber Adam Duritz ganz klar sagt, dass shes nicht Shes nur bedeutet, Mädchen zu vertreten. Aber sie schlägt in Lasten von Songs auf, und die Lyrics auf dem Album Cover sind zum Song August und Everything After, die nur live gespielt wird. Nicole xx Nicole - Derby, England aw dieses Lied ist so süß und die Texte sind stumpf, also hör auf zu versuchen, sie zu interpretieren Kayla - Cary, Nc dieses Lied wird auch von Hidden In Plain View gesungen, aber es ist nicht in irgendwelchen ihrer CDs, die sie haben gemacht. Stephanie - Moreno Valley, Ca Dies ist nur einer jener großartigen Songs, die immer aus dem Kontext genommen werden. Adam Duritz schrieb dieses Lied als Erinnerung an ein lustiges Gespräch, das er und sein Freund, Marty (Mr.) Jones einmal an einer Bar hatte. So einfach ist das. Nicht mehr, nicht weniger. Ein Lied muss nicht komplex sein, um gut zu sein. Schau dir nur Rick Nelsons Garden Party an. Einfach und rein, aber flippin toller Rock n Roll. Tony - Boston, Ma Um dies gerade zu setzen, ist die Idee, viele Küken und Freunde zu bekommen oder was auch immer, wenn man berühmt wird, wie in einer Rockband oder so. Tolles Lied mit großartigen Texten, einfach auf einer Band zu spielen. Jo-c - Lima, Peru Ich denke, dies wiederholte Heroin Kommentar ist ein Streich. Es erscheint im Kommentarfeld von fast jedem Lied, das ich auf Songfacts recherchiert habe. Wenn jemand das Songfact für Veni, Schöpfer Spiritus oder Schwester Janet Meads The Lords Pray Post, jemand wäre sicher zu kommentieren Totally ein Heroin Song. Zumindest ist es so, wie es mir scheint. Ekristheh - Halath, USA Ich empfehle, dass alle, die die von Adam gesungene Musik genießen und von den wunderschönen Tempeln der Band selbst unterstützt werden, am besten durch Across A Wire - Live In New York City gehört werden. Als Adam am besten zwischen den Songs sagte, spielten sie einige dieser elektrischen Songs, weil sie sich so sehr verändert haben und weil ich denke, wir wissen wirklich, wie man sie jetzt spielt. Also, wenn du die Bedeutung der Songs hören möchtest, die du liebst (besonders Herr Jones), kapitelt das Album so viel von der aktuellen Intention. Sie können tatsächlich fühlen, wie seine Stimme mit Emotionen zittern und sich mit Gefühl vertiefen, es kann nur meine Phantasie sein, aber ich kann eigentlich alles hören, was sie wirklich sagen wollen. Ich würde gerne noch viele weitere Alben sehen. In Bezug auf Mr. Jones, warum würdest du ein Lied zum Verzweifeln bringen, indem ich es ihm erkläre, indem er seinen Schwanz benennt oder eine große Kreativität für Drogen anspricht, lass es sein, was es ist und findet Schönheit in den Bildern, die es schafft. Am Ende des Tages denke ich, dass die Interpretation mehr über die Person sagt, die sie interpretiert, als die Person, die ihr Lied ist. Lisa - Perth, Australien Ich dachte immer, das Lied war über seinen Penis. Cherie - Ny, Ny Ich bin einverstanden mit jedem, der sagte, dass dies einer dieser Songs ist, die großartig sind, weil du dich und deine Erfahrungen in das Lied setzen kannst. Ich muss sagen, dass dieses Lied über Heroin ist ein bisschen eine Strecke - vor allem, weil theres kaum irgendwelche Beweise in dem Lied zu unterstützen. Sicher, es spricht über seine Gitarre, aber das ist die einzige Verbindung, die ich zwischen deinem Argument und dem Lied machen kann. Beth - Livonia, Mi Großes Lied mit großartigen Texten Mein Favorit. Ich werde mein Bild malen, Malen Sie mich in blau und rot und schwarz und grau Alle schönen Farben sind sehr sehr sinnvoll. Dan - Columbia, Md Lustig, dieses Lied lässt mich an einen guten guten Freund von mir denken, als wir jünger waren. Zu der Zeit haben wir wirklich angefangen zu hören, viel von den Texten zeigen auf unser wirkliches Leben. Die ersten vier Zeilen zeigen auf meine (zur Zeit) blonde Freundin und auch das schwarzhaarige Mädchen, das mein Freund verabredete, der auch ein Tänzer war. Und die Linie, die sie tanzt, während sein Vater Gitarre spielt, lässt uns auch an die Tatsache denken, dass dort Familien eine kurze Zeit im Geschäft waren. Ich könnte wirklich in, aber es ist ein tolles Lied, das definitiv ein Liebling von mir für eine Weile sein wird. John - Cleveland, Tn Dieses Lied ist sehr tief für mich. Es erinnert mich daran, wie ich mich fühlte, als mein Mädchen und ich zerbrach, zur gleichen Zeit verließ mein Onkel Mädchen ihn auch. Wir hielten uns beide zusammen, um uns zu betrinken und hoch über unsere Frauen zu sprechen. Dieses Lied handelt von zwei Jungs, die sich alleine fühlen und nur jemanden brauchen, um sich um sie zu kümmern. Zum Glück sind mein Onkel und ich beide mit unseren Mädchen zurückgekommen. Dieses Lied lässt mich sehen, wie einsam wir am Ende haben könnten. Dante - Hier, China, das ist eigentlich ein wirklich gutes Lied. Während alle um sie herum auf den kommerziellen Pop-Gravy-Zug sprangen, hatten diese Jungs den Mut, mit einem Lied herauszukommen, das eigentlich die Lyrics hatte. Dafür applaudiere ich Matt - Millbrae, Ca Ich denke, dass Herr Jones Duritz alter Ego ist und wenn er wirklich betrunken oder hoch wird oder was auch immer mr jones freigegeben wird, das ist meine Intepretation für dieses Lied. Fabian - Nogales, Mexiko das Lied scheint auch, wie es mit dem Spiel den Tod eines Verkäufers gehen könnte. Ben - Weymouth, Ma Ich verstehe, wie dieses Lied über Adams Freund sein sollte, aber ich habe eine andere Interperitation. Ich weiß, es ist nicht was Adam beabsichtigt, aber ich denke, das ist teilweise, warum mr. Jones ist so ein erstaunliches Lied: eeeverybody kann einen Weg finden, um dieses Lied sehr persönlich zu sich selbst zu machen. Aber lahm einige Interperate sind, wenn sie etwas zu dieser Person bedeuten, dann so sei es ich hoffe, dass dies in Betracht gezogen wird Michelle - Montreal, Vereinigte Staaten Ich dachte, dass dieses Lied über einen Skizophrenen war, der jemand anderes wurde, als ihm das Vertrauen fehlte , Und schließlich glaubt jeder mag dieses Alter Ego mehr als er. Es gibt eine wunderbare akustische Version von diesem ist es zu sterben, mit Ausnahme der Tatsache, dass sie meine Lieblingslinie entfernen: Mr. Jones und Herr, starrte auf das Video, wenn ich den Fernseher betrachte ich will mich sehen und starrte gleich zurück bei mir. Pat - Montreal, Kanada Ich möchte wissen, warum die Droge, die Rock-Songs immer sind, ist Heldin. Hier geht es nicht um Heldin. Ich bezweifle sehr, dass es viele gute Lieder über Heldin gibt. Bretagne - Waverly, Ny Ich traf Adam Duritiz in 200, als ich bei einem lokalen Radiosender arbeitete, fragte ich ihn nach der Inspiration für dieses Lied und Omaha. Das hat nichts mit Drogen zu tun. WARUM, warum denkt jeder, dass Heroin das Bassis für alle ROCK Songs ist. Serrig, wenn jemals jemand sagt, dieses Lied ist über Heroin Ich ignoriere die Post. Hey du kennst das Lied, alles Gute zum Geburtstag über Heroin. Ja, sie schrieben es über das Klatschen zum ersten Mal, du kennst deinen Geburtstag als und stellvertretend. Seh wie dumm das klingt Monty - Omaha, Ne Ich hörte eine Theorie von jemandem, der dachte, dass Mr. Jones eine Likörmarke war. Also, wenn du die Lyrics ein bisschen falsch machst, könnte es mir eine Flasche Mr. Jones geben - und später, wenn er singt Mr. Jones schlägt ein Gespräch mit diesem schwarzhaarigen Flamenco-Tänzer, der betrunken ist und der gerade der Schnaps spricht. Hehe, würde nicht zu viel Gewicht in diese Theorie aber setzen. Torbjrn - Trondheim, Norwegen hat irgendwelche von euch hört von dem Film schöne Frauen. Ich weiß nicht, wann der Film oder das Lied herauskam, aber nachdem ich den Film gesehen hatte, war ich überzeugt, dass es verbunden war. Für eine, die Bar, wo sie hing, war Herr Joness. Als sie in diesem Gebäude saßen, sprachen sie, weil der Mann sich in das Mädchen verliebt hatte und er sagte, wir alle wollen etwas Schönes. Der Name des Films ist schöne Frauen. Und ich weiß nicht genau dort, wo neue Amsterdam ist aber im ziemlich sicher, dass es in Yankee Territorium so dass vielleicht auch die Einstellung des Films. Es gibt noch mehr Sachen, aber ich habe den Film nicht in einer Weile gesehen, sonst noch eine Verbindung zu sehen Katie - Royston, Ga Duritz auch ersetzt Dave Lowery von Cracker für Bob Dylan auf eine andere TV-Performance, Duritz trug auch ein Cracker T Shirt während dieser Aufführung Nick - Arlington Heights, Ich interessiere mich nicht, wer er sagt. Mr. Jones ist Lester Bangs. Matt - Durham, Nh Adam weiß, dass sie mich ansah. Und ich bin gegangen und rede mit (und mache einen verdammten Narr aus mir heraus) mit dem, den ich mein Auge hatte. Aber vielleicht, wenn ich ein Rockstar gewesen wäre. Marty - Eugene, oder ive bekam diesen Kumpel David, der glaubt, dass der Herr Jones Lied von den Zählkrähen eine freaking Cover für crist sake ist. Ich hoffe, diese und andere Einträge im Internet und tvpublications gleichermaßen wird ihn gerade. GUTES SONG und geschrieben von Adam Duritz und Zählkrähen Rod - Ipswich, Australien Ich mag die Idee von Mr. Jones Adams alter Ego. Ich denke, dass es wirklich den Unterschied zwischen einer Person, die nüchtern ist, und eine Person, die hoch oder betrunken ist (Mr. Jones). So oder so ist es ein tolles Lied, das niemals den Respekt bekam, den es verdiente. Matt - St. Charles, Mo Jeffq, der den ersten Kommentar geschrieben hat, ist obviosly verwirrt. Ich würde gerne wissen, wo du gehört hast, dass Adam eine Herde-Anschauung hatte und seine Gitarre vor den Shows verpfändete. Weißt du, wie lächerlich du klingst Katy - Eden Prairie, Mn Dies ist über Leadsänger Adam Duritz Heroinsucht. Mr. Jones ist sein Händler und die Härten, ein Heroinsüchtiger zu sein. Die Band wurde nach einem Lieblings-Zeitvertreib von ihm benannt, während sie fliegt hoch von Heroin, der Krähen zählt. Er würde gewöhnlich seine Gitarre für Drogengeld verpfänden und der Rest der Band würde es vor jeder Show zurückkaufen müssen. Jeffq - Nekoosa, Wi Adam Duritz sagte auf VH1 Storytellers, dass das Lied geschrieben wurde, als er und ein Freund auf seine Freunde Vater (der ein Flamenco-Gitarrist war) an einer Bar namens New Amsterdam zu hören. Es waren all diese hübschen Mädchen an der Bar und tanzten zur Musik. Herr Jones und Adam trinken und redeten darüber, wie sie den Nerv haben würden, mit diesen Frauen zu sprechen, wenn sie berühmt wären. Dann träumen sie weiter, wie alle ihre Probleme gelöst werden würden, wenn sie berühmt wären. Jeremy - Gonzales, La könnte sein, was er sein will, aber es ist zu erschrecken, Jaffa zu versuchen - Auckland, Neuseeland Jones kann eine Leidenschaft, eine Beschäftigung, eine Sucht oder ein Verlangen bedeuten. Mr. Jones ist das Sänger-Alt-Ego. Wer den Ruhm begehrt, wird ihm Liebe und Glück bringen. Der Sänger ist unsicher, wie die Leute ihn sehen, sehen sie den Echten oder den Ruhm. Shes Blick auf Sie, ich denke nicht so. Shes Blick auf mich. Vielen Dank an Bill, um mir das zu erklären, es ist ein tolles Lied Karen :-) Karen - Virginia Beach, Va Mr. Jones ist nicht von dem Mr. Jones im Dylan Song inspiriert. Sein über Marty Jones eins von Adams Freunde von der Bucht-Bereich. Überprüfe alle Crows drücken jemals, um dies zu sichern. Richard - Nederland, Tx Könnte Mr. Jones sein, was der Sänger verwandelt, wenn er betrunken ist. Jemand überprüft es. Pass mir die Flasche Mr. Jones. Live Freak - Beirut, Other see more commentsRanking All 69 Counting Crows Songs Counting Crows is my favorite band. So, in celebration of the upcoming release of their new album, Somewhere Under Wonderland Im presenting to you a countdown of all of their original, studio tracks. Im leaving off bootlegs and songs that were never officially released (40 Years, Were Only Love, Barely Out of Tuesday, etc.), songs that appear exclusively on live albums, and covers (including the entire Underwater Sunshine (Or What We Did On Our Summer Vacation) album). In instances in which the band released more than one studio version of the song, I defaulted to the first version the band released. The criteria for the countdown are wholly subjectivemy preferred picks for lyrics, melody, and personal impact. Note, Im a fan of the entire Crows catalog, so even the songs at the bottom of the list are not ones I actively dislikejust ones I love less, and my purposes here are more to have fun reflecting on the bands music than to produce a definitive list. Feel free to debate the order amongst yourselves and let me know if I missed any songs in the comments section. 69. New Frontier Hard Candy In the right moment, I can find this song sort of catchy but the synth pop vibe and largely nonsensical lyrics dont do much to inspire a devoted Counting Crows fan. From what I can gather its a song about failure to communicatea message that the song, itself, fails to communicate all that effectively, and that sounds strangely dated for a post-eighties band. 68. All My Friends This Desert Life Counting Crows offers up its share of songs about feelings of isolation, abandonment, and otherness, and often does so in creative, thought-provoking ways. This song, in which Adam Duritz intones, all my friends and lovers leave me alone to try to have a little fun, feels altogether too trueabout a narrator who is not just depressed, but too depressing for anyone to have a good time around. 67. Cowboys Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings A big part of why Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings rates as my overall least favorite Counting Crows album is because the impassioned noise that seems to bleed from one song to another on the first half of the albumnot bad if youre in the right mood for it, but also not the sound that I turn to Counting Crows to hear. This song seems to have appreciable political implicationspossibly about a certain president being too much of a cowboy in office it may also be more about self-flagellation. In either case, I can appreciate the emotional intensity of the song, but its far from my favorite to listen to. 66. Anyone But You Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings Theres a dreamy, meditative quality to this song that captures the stunted funk of post-relationship wallowing, and I reckon the song works on that level, but otherwise it feels as though the song says a bit too little to really say much of anything meaningful at all. 65. Good Time Hard Candy This one comes across as a song about awkward attempts at first moves in between more meaningful relationships. I dig the I really love those red-haired girls, Im just another boy from Texas refrain at the end of the song, but its otherwise kind of a snooze, a momentum killer, and a relative weak spot in the early stages of an otherwise largely underrated Hard Candy album. 64. Children in Bloom Recovering the Satellites This is one of the more off-kilter tracks on Recovering . vacillating between the cool, mellow repetition of I gottta get out on my own and shouting eccentricities. It sounds like a coming of age song andor one about disillusionment. It never quite connected for me, though the outro is cool and memorable. 63. Hanging Tree Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings Theres an unstable edge to this song that I find appealingdivergent from the more pensive, self-reflective side the band usually embraces, more at home among, but also a bit more aggressively unpredictable than the rough-edged Saturday night half of this album. With the arguable exception of the chorus, the song isnt exactly catchy or pleasant to listen to as interesting as the lyrics and composition are, that docks it a few places in the countdown. 62. Why Should You Come When I Call Hard Candy This song is catchy in a cheesy sort of way, not much like other tracks from the Crows catalog, but still aurally pleasing almost in spite of itself with the chorus of ba-ba-ba-ba-bas that easily could have been annoying and yet register for me as almost impossible not to sing along with. The content of the song is comparably dubiousostensibly about an insomniac making the rounds trying to set up late night rendezvous with lovers, ex-girlfriends, and whoever else probably ought to know better. 61. Goodnight LA Hard Candy While I dont actively dislike this song, I cant help feeling that it comes across as a caricature of better songs in the Counting Crows catalog. The refrain of What brings me down now is love, cause I can never get enough feels forced rather than earned in this tepid visit to melancholia. 60. Butterfly in Reverse Hard Candy Theres a simple, old-time feel to this song, adorned with piano keys and strings. Its one of the prettier Crows songs and manages to capture nostalgia without slipping into a forlorn place, but rather focusing on more innocent memories and capturing them as they once were. 59. Insignificant Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings This song has a lot of the jumping-off-the-top-of-a-building imagery that pervades other Crows songs, but rather than melancholy or particularly lost, Duritzs narrator sounds indignant and righteously pissed off to have been rendered insignificant. Its a song of defying rejection in favor of achieving his own significance. 58. Black and Blue Hard Candy A pretty melody and suicidal imagery intertwine for a song thats a little melodramatic and colorless (no pun intended) for my tastes, but nonetheless pretty in its own way. In a sense, my feelings for this song are similar to Goodnight LAnot that its a bad song, just that the band has done the essentially the same thing so much better. 57. American Girls Hard Candy I probably underrate this song a bit, not because I dont like it, but because on an album with so many really good songs, this largely uninspired pop ditty was the first singleonly to be followed a cutesy reimagining of the Big Yellow Taxi cover that started as a delightful hidden track at the end of the album, and ended up with Vanessa Carlton singing backup for a single that overshadowed far better original music. Back to American Girls, it has its catchy bits, but otherwise feels simultaneously conspicuously lightweight and weirdly sentimental in the you make me cry refrain. It feels like a knock off of the tradition of great American rock songs about women, but never quite finds its own voice. 56. Four Days This Desert Life This is a song of separationprobably a long distance romance, for which four days and nights feels like an interminably long period of time to wait to see someone again. As such, the song encapsulates a sense of young, impatient love, making marks on a wall like a prisoner. Its a beautiful, off-beat piece of music. 55. Millers Angels Recovering the Satellites Down trodden, mystified, with a hint of anger this song is a meditation on watching for angels that may not be so benevolent. Its a song of victimhood without a hint of recovery. I like it as a mood piece, and particularly like the contrast when it briefly transitions to more of a rock song. That said its not exactly a fun or entirely coherent listening experience. 54. Another Horsedreamers Blues Recovering the Satellites This song was purportedly written in response to Sam Shepards Geography of a Horsedreamer . about a woman who can predict which horse will win races and is subject to all manner of manipulation and mistreatment as a result. However literal that translation may be, the song is a simultaneously lovely and ugly depiction of a woman in crisis, trying to do whats right and escaping into a world of pill-induced sleep to escape from it all. 53. I Wish I Was a Girl This Desert Life Errant use of the subjunctive aside, this is a pretty profound little song about dreams of jumping to your death, and wishing people would trust what you say. I love the pleading to Elizabeth, which reads distinctly as a series of long distance phone calls. Its a both a song of resignation and absurdist speculation about what it would be like to be the opposite genderthough the band only addresses that theme explicitly in the title and its iteration in each chorus. I think that the popular interpretation of this song as Adam saying that women only trust other women and wont listen to men is a little too simplistic, but dont necessarily have a much better one. 52. Le Ballet DOr Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings Despite its relatively low ranking, this track represents one of my favorite qualities about Crows songs, introducing an edgy, mysterious, almost macabre sound at an unexpected point in the mostly mellow Sunday morning half of the album. The song earns bonus points for the liner notes bit, crediting Brian Deck for climbing inside a piano and playing it like a harp to provide the instrumentation for the end of the song. 51. You Cant Count On Me Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings Theres an interesting dissonance between music and lyrics on this one, particularly in the chorus which sounds so warm and inviting and yet is all about the narrator affirming that he shouldnt be counted on. Its a song about someone who toys with people and openly admits he isnt reliableand yet seems all the more magnetic for the admission. Its one of the catchier and certainly the most radio-friendly of the tracks from the Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings album. 50. Carriage Hard Candy I went to my first Counting Crows show in the autumn of 2005, and the band played a number of songs that would be featured on Hard Candy when it was released the following summer. This particular song may always stand out for me more based on the story behind itas Duritz explained it at the showthan the song itself which, while contemplative and laced with smart lyric choices, nonetheless feels a bit plodding and as though it never truly reaches its climax. Adam told the story of an unexpected pregnancy and the couple contemplating an abortion, deciding against it, only for the would-be mother to have a miscarriage. I particularly appreciated Duritzs rejection of the audiences cheers about deciding against the abortion he refused to take a side on the issue, placing it as a personal decision and not a moral stand. The recounting of the story offered a unique glance behind the curtain of another human beings life. 49. Washington Square Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings The opening lines of this song, narrating the choice to sell a piano, sets a tone of forlorn listlessness to key off the Sunday Morning half of this album. The song has been interpreted as one about going home (the traveling homeward to Washington Square lyric toward the end seems to support this reading), but given the itinerant motif and distance from family, I think its more about trying to forge a new home far away from a real home in the wake of major life changes. 48. Daylight Fading Recovering The Satellites Historically, I discounted this song for its seemingly out place countrified, laid back leanings on an otherwise more openly emotionally intense album. The track grew on me over the years, though. Melodically, its not as aggressively sad or angry as others on Recovering . but on further reflection, it feels more like a song of numbnesscoping with lack of meaning and inability to create, despite friends reassurances that everybody loves you and everybody cares. Its a song of quiet resignation and best attempts at patience, waiting for an emotion to pass so the narrator can get on with his life. 47. Speedway This Desert Life One of the sentiments I feel Counting Crows nails best in songs like this one is not so much emotional outbursts or agony as the sense of numbness and inaction that can come after breakups and other emotional trauma. The narrator spends so much of this song thinking about what he ought to do that it underscores how little he has actually done. 46. Ghost Train August and Everything After This song does a sensational job of synergizing the more literal interpretation of a ghostly, ethereal train with the metaphorical interpretation of looking at all of these past relationships and lovers as ghoststhe remnants and memories of which never go away entirely. The repetition of the Hey, how do you do first meeting is perfectly haunting on this off beat track. 45. Sundays Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings On an album of rock and roll, followed by melancholy reflection, this song marks a good balancing point, upbeat, fast, intricate, and conversationalthe narrator denied, rejected, or dumped depending on your reading of it. Given how fundamentally different they are from the rest of the song, the choruses either make or completely fail the song, depending on your interpretation. Im partial to the verses, myself. 44. Perfect Blue Buildings August and Everything After This song exists in the space between depression and catatonia, looking at everything as mundane to the point that it both runs together and becomes vaguely fantasticala perfect blue building, a green apple seamore visions from a painting than pieces of the world that the narrator could ever access himself. The song is alternately a little plodding and a little tidy for my tastes, but the line about getting myself a little oblivion still resonates with me after all these years. 43. 1492 Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings This hard rock anthem of a song is wholly different from anything else in the Counting Crows catalog, and offers a jaw-dropping intro to the Saturday nights half of the Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings album. Vocal tapestries of sex and violence flash across a back drop of a ripping electric guitar. I didnt much care for this track when I first heard it, but it grew on me upon repeat listeningsparticularly the desperation of the bridge as Duritz swells up to scream I am the king of everything, I am the king of nothing. 42. Time and Time Again August and Everything After I really liked Time and Time Again when I first heard August and Everything After and I still think its a good song, but ultimately more of a role player track on a great album than a stand out songs in its own right. It captures a lot of the angst that recurs and is arguably improved upon in the Counting Crows catalog, but does also paint some unique, impressive imagesthe idea of watching someone in reverse to see them coming home rather than leaving, and the idea of laying waste to a whole city and riding out into the desert. 41. Shallow Days August and Everything After (Deluxe Edition) Theres something simple and understated about this early demo that brings a smile to my face on every listen. Its ostensibly a love song about Adam and a girl named Mary Jane, more likely an extended metaphor for his relationship with weed. In the end, I prefer to focus on the sentiment of small people squeezing out a good life, who need a little good time. 40. Im Not Sleeping Recovering the Satellites There are times when this band teeters on the edge of artistry and just having too much go on at once. This is among the songs that walks that line, and while it doesnt land as one my favorites, I do feel that the overall product is successful in selling a narrators desperation and anger. Its difficult to tell if the ubiquitous she is a lover, the narrators mother, a friend, or more of a conceptlike his conscience or his paranoia. Regardless, the song works best on its explosions, which the shifts in dynamics set up beautifully, and Im particularly fond of the closing sequence, led off with a sample of Rain, Rain Go Away. 39. Monkey Recovering the Satellites This is probably the most light hearted track on the Crows darkest album. While doom, gloom, and hints of desperation weave together for an intoxicating collection of music, this songs includes the whimsical confession, Im all messed up, thats nothing new, which communicates a sensation of someone who has come to terms with his otherness and life problems just the same, its a mostly upbeat melody and comes across as at least an approximation of a love song, questioning where the narrators monkey has been all his life. 38. High Life This Desert Life This is, in a sense, the title track of its albumthe only song to explicitly reference this desert life. Its a fascinating bit of a dreamscape, navigating differences and overlaps between the desert and the big city, and the sense of waiting for someone and hoping shell stick around. The song has a distinctive sound and captures loneliness in an almost playful way. Its long and has an ethereal sound and, thus, I think it tends to get overlooked on this album, but its a real forgotten gem. 37. If I Could Give All My Love (Richard Manuel Is dead) Hard Candy This song is about Adam Duritzs revelation of the impermanence of all things, people, and relationships upon learning Richard Manuel from The Band had passed. I love the recurring guitar riff in this song, and will always feel connected to it for becoming acquainted with the track during a summer crush and envisioning it as more of a love song than an exploration of why its hard to love anyone at all. 36. Love and Addiction August and Everything After (Deluxe Edition) This early demo never made it onto a Counting Crows disc until the re-release of August and Everything After in 2007. Based on a few critical turns, I preferred the bootleg recordings floating around the interwebs to this album version. Just the same its a fun courtship song about the intersection of affection and obsession, with a whole lot of youthful ambition woven in. Its a worthy track that didnt quite fit the vibe of the August album, but that nonetheless stands up on its own. 35. Omaha August and Everything After Duritz wrote this song before ever visiting Omaha, and claims that having written it earned him the key to the city, which he felt pretty awkward about. More so than the city itself, its a piece about leaving a place only to come back to it, and a feeling tread upon. Omaha all but explicitly stands for any number of faceless places in middle America, and conflicting impulses to find a new life and to come back to whats familiar. 34. Accidentally In Love Shrek 2: Motion Picture Sountrack I actually like this song a good bit, but just the same lament that, behind Mr. Jones and A Long December, its probably the song casual listeners most readily identify with Counting Crows. Its not a bad song, but it is a bubble gum pop song that isnt meaningfully representative of much else from the bands catalog. But lets stay positive. As far as Im concerned, (Come on, come on) jump a little higher, (come on, come on) if you feel a little lighter remains one of the purest representations of what new love really feels like. And Ill be darned if this song isnt catchy. 33. Mercury Recovering the Satellites This off-beat, almost bluesy song is an interesting mood piece amongst an otherwise more obviously emotional Recovering the Satellites album. It tells the tale of a mercurial relationship and the narrators willingness to tolerate or embrace all of it. The song is simultaneously conflicted and understated for a pretty intriguing final product. 32. Kid Things This Desert Life Ive never quite understood the fad of leaving several minutes of blank space on a track before giving way to a hidden track on an album. Sure, the surprise of a bonus song is great, but couldnt you just leave it off the liner notes This trend seems to have given way to exclusive tracksas in, exclusive to iTunes download, or exclusive to buying a CD at Target. Or maybe thats just been the case for artists I like. Anywho, for those of us willing to hold down the fast forward button for a minute or so or who were too lazy to get up to change CDs after St. Robinson in His Cadillac Dream, the reward was Kid Thingsa plucky song with country roots in which Duritz implores his homebody love interest to come out and play, extolling the value of immature activities, and their potential to lead to greater things. Its a really fun song that Id probably love even more had it gotten its own track originally, and thus lent itself better to repeat listening. 31. Amy Hit the Atmosphere This Desert Life This is a mood piece in the melancholiest of senses. No, it doesnt carry the tragic weight of On a Tuesday in Amsterdam Long Ago or Raining In Baltimore but rather is, in a sense, is even sadder for the lack of energy and the general malaise of the song. This isnt a song of sudden heartbreak, but rather an ongoing one that the narrator has grown resigned to. I remember identifying with this song after long days during my high school careerworn out from early mornings to get to school on time, a heavy load of AP courses and extracurriculars, followed by late nights of homework and pining for a life that was less exhausting and more loving. The particular circumstances may vary, but I suspect weve all been there at one time and in one way or another. 30. Los Angeles Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings In the hyperactive Saturday night half of this album, Id argue that the Crows sound most at home on Los Angelesnot a hard rocker, more of a lazy party song about going out with friends and revisiting a Crows theme of coming to terms with fame and retaining ones humanity. 29. Einstein on the Beach (For an Egg Man) DGC Rarities Volume 1 By Duritzs own description, this was a song the Crows assembled when they were still learning to write pop songs, and he never intended for it to be released in any meaningful setting. Yet it went from a rarities compilation to radio play, and became one of the bands most recognizable tracks from its early years. No, its not the weightiest or more coherent Crows track, but it is the essence of a fun summer song, edging toward deep philosophical thought, but consistently tipping back to its lighter roots. 28. She Dont Want Nobody Near Films About Ghosts This early Counting Crows song never got a formal studio release until their greatest hits album. Like a number of Crows tracks it has an upbeat melody, but dont let that misguide you to thinking its a happy-go-lucky song. Its ostensibly a piece about social anxiety, wrestling with the competing impulses of a desire to be alone and fear of loneliness, all set against classic Crows pop song instrumentation. 27. Walkaways Recovering the Satellites Clocking in at one minute, thirteen seconds, its easy to dismiss this song, but I actually feel its one of the most underrated pieces of the brilliant Satellites album. Down-trodden and defeated, the song at first feels like one about abandonment, and yet takes a turn in the final lines in which Duritz sings that one day, Im gonna stay. But not today. The lyric hints at shared responsibility for lonelinessa culture of one-night stands and short engagements. Just the same, the finish sounds something like hopethat the narrator can foresee an end to that lifestyle amidst his current malaise. 26. On Almost Any Sunday Morning Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings This is the kind of track that its easy to overlook for just how understated it is, but I really dig the quiet depression and desperation inherent to it, reflecting on lonely Sunday mornings with a brand of disillusionment thats especially apparent after a raucous Saturday night. Its one of the clearest, most fully realized tracks of the Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings album. 25. When I Dream of Michelangelo Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings The title of this song is a callback to Angels of the Silences in which dreaming of Michelangelo hints at hidden depths and madness in the narrator. This beautiful ballad with a fundamentally different vibe lingers on that image and explores the space between being an artist and a person of strong opinions, and being torn between that and a plainer, less nuanced life and the love interest that seems to embody that simpler life. The soft, smooth instrumentation paints this inner conflict in a soft light, creating a beautiful song in its own right. 24. Colorblind This Desert Life This song will probably always receive disproportionate attention in the Counting Crows catalog for having been featured in a sexy scene from Cruel Intentions . Of course, its no more fair that I tend discount it because bandwagon fans only recognize it from the movie. All of that said, it is a beautiful piano-driven ballad that at once captures loneliness and a complete willingness on the part of the songs narrator to unfold and release himself to the trusting arms of another. 23. On a Tuesday in Amsterdam Long Ago Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings I think of this song a bit like a poor mans Raining In Baltimore. The thing is that Baltimore is a such a good song that even a poor mans version is perfectly worth listening to. Its Counting Crows at the bands most down-trodden and melodramatic with a tragic refrain of the narrator pleading, come back to me. Its haunting. Its beautiful. 22. Baby Im a Big Star Now Rounders: Motion Picture Soundtrack This is a pretty infectious song, released as a hidden track on the vinyl version of This Desert Life and, more prominently on the Rounders soundtrack. It revisits Crows themes of disillusionment and self-loathing, with the catchiest of hooks that suggests an undercurrent of optimism and continuing to try. 21. Come Around Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings I remember listening to this track along a road trip to see my friends for the time in months after I first moved to Baltimore. The song perfectly encapsulates the spirit a reunionthe idea that old friends and family will find a way to come back around to each other, surviving all manner of short-term relationships and other pursuits. Sure, theres an underlying tone of abandonment and heartache to lyrics like, What I know is, shes going. When you know it, its all right. So you put yourself between you and your pride. Just the same, the song has more of the trappings of recovery than misery, and as such functions as an excellent track to close an album. 20. Have You Seen Me Lately Recovering the Satellites Throughout this countdown I refer to the narratora term that my background in writing workshops and literature classrooms has driven into my skull, demanding that the consumer never assume the author speaks for herself. That said, Duritz has been pretty open about the autobiographical nature of Recovering the Satellites (not altogether different from the bands other albums). The dynamic is particularly true of this song, a meditation on exploding from artist to superstar based on the commercial success of August and Everything After . and trying to decipher real relationships from faux ones real identity from public persona. On top of all of that, its a kickass rock song that subverts the expectations set by the songs that immediately surround it. 19. Holiday in Spain Hard Candy This whimsical, but downtrodden piece about a narrator retreating from a stark reality to an exotic location ostensibly caps Hard Candy (excluding the hidden track cover of Big Yellow Taxi). One of the sensations this band and particularly this song captures with pure artistry is the sense of keeping busy, keeping up appearances, and trying to stay cool when all the while you know your life is in shambles. For me, this is a song about attempting to recover, and just the same acknowledging that the flying away to someone new is part of cycle, not an elixir in and of itself. 18. Sullivan Street August and Everything After The debut album from Counting Crows is full of heartbreaking music. This conflicted song is all about the desperation that comes with a relationship falling apartthat uncomfortable period in which youre still together, but know that it will be over before long. From what Ive heard, Duritz wrote the song when he was in the habit of driving a girlfriend home, but the lyrics double up with the sensation of fighting a losing battledoing drivebys past an ex-lovers place with no real reason for doing so, no intention of stopping in. 17. Up All Night Hard Candy To me, this was the sweetest surprise of the Hard Candy album, a song that starts melancholy and lonesome that keys into feel like a late-night adventure, albeit one for which the narrator may still be forlorn. Indeed, Duritz ostensibly sounds as though he cant sleep for his dreams having slipped away. He acknowledges its too late to get high, in the same breath observing that his sleepless night may well give way to a cycle of sleeping through the daylight hours. The song seamlessly weaves together sensations of a partying and sex with disillusionment and disappointment, all against a backdrop of booming piano chords. 16. Hard Candy Hard Candy The title track of its album is all about memoriesstudying old photographs, remembering the best parts of a relationship past. The imagery of a girl standing by the water as a smile begins to curl and the evenings on Long Island when the colors start to fade always grab me when Im listening to this songwe may not all of have quite the same memories, but I reckon every one of us has specific people, signature landscapes, and moments that make us smile and sigh and reflect in all of the happiest and most gut-wrenching ways imaginable. 15. Catapult Recovering the Satellites This opening track is certainly off beat. It starts out with dreamy a quality before a solitary electric guitar chord shakes up the scene, crystallizes the vision, and stirs the listener to wakefulness. The song encapsulates longing, fear of abandonment, self-realization and so many other themes of the album that it functions something like a de facto overture. Ironically, its a song that I think listeners tend to overlook for such a loaded album to follow, but regardless, it is not a track for any serious listener to sleep on. 14. Hanginaround This Desert Life I know plenty of Crows fans tend to look down on this song as lightweight and uninspired. I think the lack of doom and gloom makes this song all the more special to me, thoughdespite the undercurrent of hanging around too long, theres also an unapologetic air about this song. Its not quite a party song, but more so a chill piece about hanging out with friends with nowhere to go, nothing to do, and little interest in changing all of that. Moreover, the song is smarter than folks may give it credit for, recorded using looping techniques that repeat the drum and guitar riff over and over again in a song about hanging around the same place. 13. Round Here August and Everything After The opening flicker of an electric guitar and lyrics about stepping out the front door at the beginning of this song function as an iconic introduction to the Counting Crows catalogthe first track on the groups first studio album. The song proceeds to take listeners along an emotional roller coaster about coming of age and disillusionment. The song most truly comes to life on the positively electric bridge segment about the girl in the car in the parking lot who says man, you should try to take a shot. The song comes full circle with a soft outro for which the instrumentation falls away to leave the narrator all alone, just like he started. 12. Angels of the Silences Recovering the Satellites For me this has always been a song about wanting to believe, and I love the choice for it to be an upbeat rocker, bursting with youthful energy. The sentiment that, all my sins, I said that I would pay for them if I could come back to you, is a perfect encapsulation of bargaining and the desperation to hold onto something thats already gone. Moreover, I appreciate the songs vacillation between bitterness, regret, desire, philosophy, and crises of faithperfectly conflicted and perfectly complete. 11. Miami Hard Candy I love the economy of this song. It, at once, has the mellow easy feel of a vacation song, but just the same, an undercurrent of longing for Duritzs angel who wont return his calls, and the borderline epic feel of a heros journey in the triumphant closing lines about shutting it down in New Orleans. The song also has its double meaning embedded in the title, with Miami purportedly equating to my Amy, a frequent Crows muse, and a brilliant way of showing the way in which a person and a place can be become one in a persons memories. 10. Rain King August and Everything After No doubt, Rain King charts as one of Counting Crows most recognizable songs, and fittingly so. In its original recording, despite bits of doubt and discontent, it nonetheless sounds like a carefree, rocking pop song. Moreover, Duritz has talked about the song in the context of an artists statementa song about being an artist and all the disparate pieces of a life that come together to manifest in the form of self-expression through music and writing. The song also accounts for the intrinsic sense of deserving morethe sensation that the artists work is worth more than hes getting credit for at this point. The closing exclamation of yeah, registers as something akin to Duritzs barbaric yawp. While Im focusing on original recordings, its also worth noting this song as the one the Crows may have reinvented more than any other on the live stage, and used as a portal to cover many, many other songs. 9. Good Night Elisabeth Recovering the Satellites Its difficult for me to separate this song from Rain King, for its most iconic line at the climax of the song. Theres a sparseness to this song that, for me, has always encapsulated loneliness, or perhaps more precisely the feeling of missing a specific person. The song portrays Duritzs lullaby to a lover he lost when he was on the road. The final verse in particular captures him in a phase of simultaneous acceptance and complete denial of his circumstances. Hes accepted he wont be with Elisabeth and readies himself to sleep with someone else, all the while thinking of, waiting for his true love. Its a beautiful, tragic, and very real song. 8. Mrs. Potters Lullaby This Desert Life This elaborate dreamscape of a seven-minute song probably never should have been released as a singlefar too long, thoughtful, and abstract for a top 40 audience. Duritz reportedly wrote the song as an ode to an actress, hence the references to singing to someone on a TV or movie screen and imploring her to come meet him he his framed the song as introducing himself, by way of encapsulating everything going on his mind. Lines like theres a piece of Maria in every song that I sing, speak to the roots of a writerthe people and the concepts that inform everything he does. Moreover, the song somehow manages to connect all of these disparate, abstract vignettes into one epic, greater whole. Its an unforgettable memoir of a song. 7. A Long December Recovering the Satellites Though I tend to think of Counting Crows signature sound as skewing melancholy, a disproportionate number of the bands singles are upbeat pop songs. This is one of the most prominent exceptions, probably the bands second most famous song after Mr. Jones and one of their most melancholy numbers. Its a song about everything going wrong, spending long nights in hospitals at the end of a cruddy year. And, just the same, its a song of remembering better times, like when all at once you look across a crowded room and see the way that light attaches to a girl. Better yet, theres the closing sentiment of getting out to see the ocean, which carries the suggestion of rediscovering the things that used to make the narrator happy. I listened to this track on repeat in my earbuds, walking alone, my very first time setting foot in the Pacific Ocean four years ago. 6. Raining in Baltimore August and Everything After When I first heard August and Everything After at the ripe age of 10, I remember being struck by it. It was tragic, and as such it was beautiful. Before I had experienced any real sense of heartache or loss in my own life, I instinctively embraced this song about being so far away from the person you love that it actively hurts. This song took on another level of meaning for me when I moved to Baltimore, closer to three hundred than three thousand miles from the people I knew and my girlfriend at the time, but nonetheless recognized so many of the sentiments of the song, perhaps on an altogether too literal level. As time has gone by, Ive developed a greater appreciation for a handful of Crows songs that I feel encompass not only sadness, but an additional layer of conflict and redemption. Just the same, the song remains a key teacher in my emotional education and a track that still holds up after all these years. 5. St. Robinson in his Cadillac Dream This Desert Life Excluding the hidden track at the end of the CD, St. Robinson wraps up This Desert Life and certainly fits as a closing numbercomplex, epic, and endlessly narrative. Its a song about dreaming and all the things that get between everyday people and all of the things they want for themselves. The song clicks on a whole new level for me on the devil-may-care FU to normalcy in the closing movements of the song, when Duritz retorts to whoever dare challenge him, there are people who will say that they knew me so well I may not go to heavenI hope you go to hell. The song ends on a delicious slice of Americana, the narrator inviting his lover get into his car, not to head toward any specific destination, but rather just to drive . 4. A Murder of One August and Everything After This is the epic, lovely, desperate, heartbreaking, rise-from-the-ashes finale of Counting Crows first studio album, and it is a masterpiece. The song is often misinterpreted as, in some way, being about homicide, and Duritz may well have been playing with that idea in a song ostensibly about an abusive relationship and urging someone not to waste her life. Just the same the song also seems to be about flock of crowsa murderand all the more interesting for the title suggesting a flock of just one. Like so many of my favorite songs, this one resonates me on a personal level. I remember listening to those gritted-teeth lyrics, Does he tell you when youre sorry Does he tell you when youre wrong as a junior high kid and thinking about the way my father controlled me and tried to tell me what was right or wrong from the perspective his aberrant and misguided sense of morality and prioritization. And I remember thinking of being feathered by moonlight as walking free and even taking flight. Counting Crows is often at its best on deeply conflicted song and this song nails so many emotions around confinement and freedom. I love it. 3. Recovering the Satellites Recovering the Satellites For me, this is a song about rediscovering oneself and the realization that time is fleeting. Duritz sings about getting back to basics and staring at the sky in a way that feels very small town to mebut maybe thats my small town upbringing and recollections of my first encounters with this song that inform that interpretation, and the reference to this angel town suggests it might have been written about Los Angeles, where other Crows songs from this era are set. Regardless, theres a sense of inevitable loss and yearning to the song, particularly in my favorite lyric: we only stay in orbit for a moment of time. And youre everybodys satelliteI wish that you were mine. 2. Anna Begins August and Everything After Duritz inked this song in remembrance of a love affair he engaged in, backpacking through Europe in his youth. In my totally subjective opinion, its the most beautiful love song ever written. I can take or leave most of the verses, but each chorus pulls at my heart strings to truly profound effectthe sentiment of falling in love for every minor gesture a woman might make, such as sneezing the idea of lovers understanding each others every nonsense-sleep-talking mumbled syllable. Perhaps the song is a bit melodramatic, but as such it captures young love and infatuation in strikingly earnest ways. 1. Mr. Jones August and Everything After For all of my self-professed modesty and focus cast on the craft of my art as opposed to recognition, I cant deny the impulse to strive toward fame and fortune. The American Dream is engrained in me like so many of my contemporaries and those who came before me, indoctrinated in a culture of self-betterment and boot strapping, and the implicit suggestion that celebrity is the natural and inherently desirable reward of all that hard work. The song is about seeking celebrity without a concrete sense of why youre doing so, and the companion amorphous desires for love and companionship and influence, all couched with in the setting of San Francisco dive bar, making bold claims with a drinking buddy whilst watching a flamenco dancer strut her stuff. Mr. Jones is nothing short of a portrait of a generationa song all about dreams and desires that closes on the sorrowful, unspoken recognition that the narrator may never achieve his lofty goals. Read stories and miscellaneous criticism from Mike Chin at his website and his thoughts on a cappella music at The A Cappella Blog. Follow him on Twitter miketchin. Check out more articles on BuzzFeedRanking All 69 Counting Crows Songs Counting Crows is my favorite band. So, in celebration of the upcoming release of their new album, Somewhere Under Wonderland Im presenting to you a countdown of all of their original, studio tracks. Im leaving off bootlegs and songs that were never officially released (40 Years, Were Only Love, Barely Out of Tuesday, etc.), songs that appear exclusively on live albums, and covers (including the entire Underwater Sunshine (Or What We Did On Our Summer Vacation) album). In instances in which the band released more than one studio version of the song, I defaulted to the first version the band released. The criteria for the countdown are wholly subjectivemy preferred picks for lyrics, melody, and personal impact. Note, Im a fan of the entire Crows catalog, so even the songs at the bottom of the list are not ones I actively dislikejust ones I love less, and my purposes here are more to have fun reflecting on the bands music than to produce a definitive list. Feel free to debate the order amongst yourselves and let me know if I missed any songs in the comments section. 69. New Frontier Hard Candy In the right moment, I can find this song sort of catchy but the synth pop vibe and largely nonsensical lyrics dont do much to inspire a devoted Counting Crows fan. From what I can gather its a song about failure to communicatea message that the song, itself, fails to communicate all that effectively, and that sounds strangely dated for a post-eighties band. 68. All My Friends This Desert Life Counting Crows offers up its share of songs about feelings of isolation, abandonment, and otherness, and often does so in creative, thought-provoking ways. This song, in which Adam Duritz intones, all my friends and lovers leave me alone to try to have a little fun, feels altogether too trueabout a narrator who is not just depressed, but too depressing for anyone to have a good time around. 67. Cowboys Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings A big part of why Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings rates as my overall least favorite Counting Crows album is because the impassioned noise that seems to bleed from one song to another on the first half of the albumnot bad if youre in the right mood for it, but also not the sound that I turn to Counting Crows to hear. This song seems to have appreciable political implicationspossibly about a certain president being too much of a cowboy in office it may also be more about self-flagellation. In either case, I can appreciate the emotional intensity of the song, but its far from my favorite to listen to. 66. Anyone But You Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings Theres a dreamy, meditative quality to this song that captures the stunted funk of post-relationship wallowing, and I reckon the song works on that level, but otherwise it feels as though the song says a bit too little to really say much of anything meaningful at all. 65. Good Time Hard Candy This one comes across as a song about awkward attempts at first moves in between more meaningful relationships. I dig the I really love those red-haired girls, Im just another boy from Texas refrain at the end of the song, but its otherwise kind of a snooze, a momentum killer, and a relative weak spot in the early stages of an otherwise largely underrated Hard Candy album. 64. Children in Bloom Recovering the Satellites This is one of the more off-kilter tracks on Recovering . vacillating between the cool, mellow repetition of I gottta get out on my own and shouting eccentricities. It sounds like a coming of age song andor one about disillusionment. It never quite connected for me, though the outro is cool and memorable. 63. Hanging Tree Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings Theres an unstable edge to this song that I find appealingdivergent from the more pensive, self-reflective side the band usually embraces, more at home among, but also a bit more aggressively unpredictable than the rough-edged Saturday night half of this album. With the arguable exception of the chorus, the song isnt exactly catchy or pleasant to listen to as interesting as the lyrics and composition are, that docks it a few places in the countdown. 62. Why Should You Come When I Call Hard Candy This song is catchy in a cheesy sort of way, not much like other tracks from the Crows catalog, but still aurally pleasing almost in spite of itself with the chorus of ba-ba-ba-ba-bas that easily could have been annoying and yet register for me as almost impossible not to sing along with. The content of the song is comparably dubiousostensibly about an insomniac making the rounds trying to set up late night rendezvous with lovers, ex-girlfriends, and whoever else probably ought to know better. 61. Goodnight LA Hard Candy While I dont actively dislike this song, I cant help feeling that it comes across as a caricature of better songs in the Counting Crows catalog. The refrain of What brings me down now is love, cause I can never get enough feels forced rather than earned in this tepid visit to melancholia. 60. Butterfly in Reverse Hard Candy Theres a simple, old-time feel to this song, adorned with piano keys and strings. Its one of the prettier Crows songs and manages to capture nostalgia without slipping into a forlorn place, but rather focusing on more innocent memories and capturing them as they once were. 59. Insignificant Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings This song has a lot of the jumping-off-the-top-of-a-building imagery that pervades other Crows songs, but rather than melancholy or particularly lost, Duritzs narrator sounds indignant and righteously pissed off to have been rendered insignificant. Its a song of defying rejection in favor of achieving his own significance. 58. Black and Blue Hard Candy A pretty melody and suicidal imagery intertwine for a song thats a little melodramatic and colorless (no pun intended) for my tastes, but nonetheless pretty in its own way. In a sense, my feelings for this song are similar to Goodnight LAnot that its a bad song, just that the band has done the essentially the same thing so much better. 57. American Girls Hard Candy I probably underrate this song a bit, not because I dont like it, but because on an album with so many really good songs, this largely uninspired pop ditty was the first singleonly to be followed a cutesy reimagining of the Big Yellow Taxi cover that started as a delightful hidden track at the end of the album, and ended up with Vanessa Carlton singing backup for a single that overshadowed far better original music. Back to American Girls, it has its catchy bits, but otherwise feels simultaneously conspicuously lightweight and weirdly sentimental in the you make me cry refrain. It feels like a knock off of the tradition of great American rock songs about women, but never quite finds its own voice. 56. Four Days This Desert Life This is a song of separationprobably a long distance romance, for which four days and nights feels like an interminably long period of time to wait to see someone again. As such, the song encapsulates a sense of young, impatient love, making marks on a wall like a prisoner. Its a beautiful, off-beat piece of music. 55. Millers Angels Recovering the Satellites Down trodden, mystified, with a hint of anger this song is a meditation on watching for angels that may not be so benevolent. Its a song of victimhood without a hint of recovery. I like it as a mood piece, and particularly like the contrast when it briefly transitions to more of a rock song. That said its not exactly a fun or entirely coherent listening experience. 54. Another Horsedreamers Blues Recovering the Satellites This song was purportedly written in response to Sam Shepards Geography of a Horsedreamer . about a woman who can predict which horse will win races and is subject to all manner of manipulation and mistreatment as a result. However literal that translation may be, the song is a simultaneously lovely and ugly depiction of a woman in crisis, trying to do whats right and escaping into a world of pill-induced sleep to escape from it all. 53. I Wish I Was a Girl This Desert Life Errant use of the subjunctive aside, this is a pretty profound little song about dreams of jumping to your death, and wishing people would trust what you say. I love the pleading to Elizabeth, which reads distinctly as a series of long distance phone calls. Its a both a song of resignation and absurdist speculation about what it would be like to be the opposite genderthough the band only addresses that theme explicitly in the title and its iteration in each chorus. I think that the popular interpretation of this song as Adam saying that women only trust other women and wont listen to men is a little too simplistic, but dont necessarily have a much better one. 52. Le Ballet DOr Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings Despite its relatively low ranking, this track represents one of my favorite qualities about Crows songs, introducing an edgy, mysterious, almost macabre sound at an unexpected point in the mostly mellow Sunday morning half of the album. The song earns bonus points for the liner notes bit, crediting Brian Deck for climbing inside a piano and playing it like a harp to provide the instrumentation for the end of the song. 51. You Cant Count On Me Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings Theres an interesting dissonance between music and lyrics on this one, particularly in the chorus which sounds so warm and inviting and yet is all about the narrator affirming that he shouldnt be counted on. Its a song about someone who toys with people and openly admits he isnt reliableand yet seems all the more magnetic for the admission. Its one of the catchier and certainly the most radio-friendly of the tracks from the Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings album. 50. Carriage Hard Candy I went to my first Counting Crows show in the autumn of 2005, and the band played a number of songs that would be featured on Hard Candy when it was released the following summer. This particular song may always stand out for me more based on the story behind itas Duritz explained it at the showthan the song itself which, while contemplative and laced with smart lyric choices, nonetheless feels a bit plodding and as though it never truly reaches its climax. Adam told the story of an unexpected pregnancy and the couple contemplating an abortion, deciding against it, only for the would-be mother to have a miscarriage. I particularly appreciated Duritzs rejection of the audiences cheers about deciding against the abortion he refused to take a side on the issue, placing it as a personal decision and not a moral stand. The recounting of the story offered a unique glance behind the curtain of another human beings life. 49. Washington Square Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings The opening lines of this song, narrating the choice to sell a piano, sets a tone of forlorn listlessness to key off the Sunday Morning half of this album. The song has been interpreted as one about going home (the traveling homeward to Washington Square lyric toward the end seems to support this reading), but given the itinerant motif and distance from family, I think its more about trying to forge a new home far away from a real home in the wake of major life changes. 48. Daylight Fading Recovering The Satellites Historically, I discounted this song for its seemingly out place countrified, laid back leanings on an otherwise more openly emotionally intense album. The track grew on me over the years, though. Melodically, its not as aggressively sad or angry as others on Recovering . but on further reflection, it feels more like a song of numbnesscoping with lack of meaning and inability to create, despite friends reassurances that everybody loves you and everybody cares. Its a song of quiet resignation and best attempts at patience, waiting for an emotion to pass so the narrator can get on with his life. 47. Speedway This Desert Life One of the sentiments I feel Counting Crows nails best in songs like this one is not so much emotional outbursts or agony as the sense of numbness and inaction that can come after breakups and other emotional trauma. The narrator spends so much of this song thinking about what he ought to do that it underscores how little he has actually done. 46. Ghost Train August and Everything After This song does a sensational job of synergizing the more literal interpretation of a ghostly, ethereal train with the metaphorical interpretation of looking at all of these past relationships and lovers as ghoststhe remnants and memories of which never go away entirely. The repetition of the Hey, how do you do first meeting is perfectly haunting on this off beat track. 45. Sundays Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings On an album of rock and roll, followed by melancholy reflection, this song marks a good balancing point, upbeat, fast, intricate, and conversationalthe narrator denied, rejected, or dumped depending on your reading of it. Given how fundamentally different they are from the rest of the song, the choruses either make or completely fail the song, depending on your interpretation. Im partial to the verses, myself. 44. Perfect Blue Buildings August and Everything After This song exists in the space between depression and catatonia, looking at everything as mundane to the point that it both runs together and becomes vaguely fantasticala perfect blue building, a green apple seamore visions from a painting than pieces of the world that the narrator could ever access himself. The song is alternately a little plodding and a little tidy for my tastes, but the line about getting myself a little oblivion still resonates with me after all these years. 43. 1492 Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings This hard rock anthem of a song is wholly different from anything else in the Counting Crows catalog, and offers a jaw-dropping intro to the Saturday nights half of the Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings album. Vocal tapestries of sex and violence flash across a back drop of a ripping electric guitar. I didnt much care for this track when I first heard it, but it grew on me upon repeat listeningsparticularly the desperation of the bridge as Duritz swells up to scream I am the king of everything, I am the king of nothing. 42. Time and Time Again August and Everything After I really liked Time and Time Again when I first heard August and Everything After and I still think its a good song, but ultimately more of a role player track on a great album than a stand out songs in its own right. It captures a lot of the angst that recurs and is arguably improved upon in the Counting Crows catalog, but does also paint some unique, impressive imagesthe idea of watching someone in reverse to see them coming home rather than leaving, and the idea of laying waste to a whole city and riding out into the desert. 41. Shallow Days August and Everything After (Deluxe Edition) Theres something simple and understated about this early demo that brings a smile to my face on every listen. Its ostensibly a love song about Adam and a girl named Mary Jane, more likely an extended metaphor for his relationship with weed. In the end, I prefer to focus on the sentiment of small people squeezing out a good life, who need a little good time. 40. Im Not Sleeping Recovering the Satellites There are times when this band teeters on the edge of artistry and just having too much go on at once. This is among the songs that walks that line, and while it doesnt land as one my favorites, I do feel that the overall product is successful in selling a narrators desperation and anger. Its difficult to tell if the ubiquitous she is a lover, the narrators mother, a friend, or more of a conceptlike his conscience or his paranoia. Regardless, the song works best on its explosions, which the shifts in dynamics set up beautifully, and Im particularly fond of the closing sequence, led off with a sample of Rain, Rain Go Away. 39. Monkey Recovering the Satellites This is probably the most light hearted track on the Crows darkest album. While doom, gloom, and hints of desperation weave together for an intoxicating collection of music, this songs includes the whimsical confession, Im all messed up, thats nothing new, which communicates a sensation of someone who has come to terms with his otherness and life problems just the same, its a mostly upbeat melody and comes across as at least an approximation of a love song, questioning where the narrators monkey has been all his life. 38. High Life This Desert Life This is, in a sense, the title track of its albumthe only song to explicitly reference this desert life. Its a fascinating bit of a dreamscape, navigating differences and overlaps between the desert and the big city, and the sense of waiting for someone and hoping shell stick around. The song has a distinctive sound and captures loneliness in an almost playful way. Its long and has an ethereal sound and, thus, I think it tends to get overlooked on this album, but its a real forgotten gem. 37. If I Could Give All My Love (Richard Manuel Is dead) Hard Candy This song is about Adam Duritzs revelation of the impermanence of all things, people, and relationships upon learning Richard Manuel from The Band had passed. I love the recurring guitar riff in this song, and will always feel connected to it for becoming acquainted with the track during a summer crush and envisioning it as more of a love song than an exploration of why its hard to love anyone at all. 36. Love and Addiction August and Everything After (Deluxe Edition) This early demo never made it onto a Counting Crows disc until the re-release of August and Everything After in 2007. Based on a few critical turns, I preferred the bootleg recordings floating around the interwebs to this album version. Just the same its a fun courtship song about the intersection of affection and obsession, with a whole lot of youthful ambition woven in. Its a worthy track that didnt quite fit the vibe of the August album, but that nonetheless stands up on its own. 35. Omaha August and Everything After Duritz wrote this song before ever visiting Omaha, and claims that having written it earned him the key to the city, which he felt pretty awkward about. More so than the city itself, its a piece about leaving a place only to come back to it, and a feeling tread upon. Omaha all but explicitly stands for any number of faceless places in middle America, and conflicting impulses to find a new life and to come back to whats familiar. 34. Accidentally In Love Shrek 2: Motion Picture Sountrack I actually like this song a good bit, but just the same lament that, behind Mr. Jones and A Long December, its probably the song casual listeners most readily identify with Counting Crows. Its not a bad song, but it is a bubble gum pop song that isnt meaningfully representative of much else from the bands catalog. But lets stay positive. As far as Im concerned, (Come on, come on) jump a little higher, (come on, come on) if you feel a little lighter remains one of the purest representations of what new love really feels like. And Ill be darned if this song isnt catchy. 33. Mercury Recovering the Satellites This off-beat, almost bluesy song is an interesting mood piece amongst an otherwise more obviously emotional Recovering the Satellites album. It tells the tale of a mercurial relationship and the narrators willingness to tolerate or embrace all of it. The song is simultaneously conflicted and understated for a pretty intriguing final product. 32. Kid Things This Desert Life Ive never quite understood the fad of leaving several minutes of blank space on a track before giving way to a hidden track on an album. Sure, the surprise of a bonus song is great, but couldnt you just leave it off the liner notes This trend seems to have given way to exclusive tracksas in, exclusive to iTunes download, or exclusive to buying a CD at Target. Or maybe thats just been the case for artists I like. Anywho, for those of us willing to hold down the fast forward button for a minute or so or who were too lazy to get up to change CDs after St. Robinson in His Cadillac Dream, the reward was Kid Thingsa plucky song with country roots in which Duritz implores his homebody love interest to come out and play, extolling the value of immature activities, and their potential to lead to greater things. Its a really fun song that Id probably love even more had it gotten its own track originally, and thus lent itself better to repeat listening. 31. Amy Hit the Atmosphere This Desert Life This is a mood piece in the melancholiest of senses. No, it doesnt carry the tragic weight of On a Tuesday in Amsterdam Long Ago or Raining In Baltimore but rather is, in a sense, is even sadder for the lack of energy and the general malaise of the song. This isnt a song of sudden heartbreak, but rather an ongoing one that the narrator has grown resigned to. I remember identifying with this song after long days during my high school careerworn out from early mornings to get to school on time, a heavy load of AP courses and extracurriculars, followed by late nights of homework and pining for a life that was less exhausting and more loving. The particular circumstances may vary, but I suspect weve all been there at one time and in one way or another. 30. Los Angeles Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings In the hyperactive Saturday night half of this album, Id argue that the Crows sound most at home on Los Angelesnot a hard rocker, more of a lazy party song about going out with friends and revisiting a Crows theme of coming to terms with fame and retaining ones humanity. 29. Einstein on the Beach (For an Egg Man) DGC Rarities Volume 1 By Duritzs own description, this was a song the Crows assembled when they were still learning to write pop songs, and he never intended for it to be released in any meaningful setting. Yet it went from a rarities compilation to radio play, and became one of the bands most recognizable tracks from its early years. No, its not the weightiest or more coherent Crows track, but it is the essence of a fun summer song, edging toward deep philosophical thought, but consistently tipping back to its lighter roots. 28. She Dont Want Nobody Near Films About Ghosts This early Counting Crows song never got a formal studio release until their greatest hits album. Like a number of Crows tracks it has an upbeat melody, but dont let that misguide you to thinking its a happy-go-lucky song. Its ostensibly a piece about social anxiety, wrestling with the competing impulses of a desire to be alone and fear of loneliness, all set against classic Crows pop song instrumentation. 27. Walkaways Recovering the Satellites Clocking in at one minute, thirteen seconds, its easy to dismiss this song, but I actually feel its one of the most underrated pieces of the brilliant Satellites album. Down-trodden and defeated, the song at first feels like one about abandonment, and yet takes a turn in the final lines in which Duritz sings that one day, Im gonna stay. But not today. The lyric hints at shared responsibility for lonelinessa culture of one-night stands and short engagements. Just the same, the finish sounds something like hopethat the narrator can foresee an end to that lifestyle amidst his current malaise. 26. On Almost Any Sunday Morning Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings This is the kind of track that its easy to overlook for just how understated it is, but I really dig the quiet depression and desperation inherent to it, reflecting on lonely Sunday mornings with a brand of disillusionment thats especially apparent after a raucous Saturday night. Its one of the clearest, most fully realized tracks of the Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings album. 25. When I Dream of Michelangelo Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings The title of this song is a callback to Angels of the Silences in which dreaming of Michelangelo hints at hidden depths and madness in the narrator. This beautiful ballad with a fundamentally different vibe lingers on that image and explores the space between being an artist and a person of strong opinions, and being torn between that and a plainer, less nuanced life and the love interest that seems to embody that simpler life. The soft, smooth instrumentation paints this inner conflict in a soft light, creating a beautiful song in its own right. 24. Colorblind This Desert Life This song will probably always receive disproportionate attention in the Counting Crows catalog for having been featured in a sexy scene from Cruel Intentions . Of course, its no more fair that I tend discount it because bandwagon fans only recognize it from the movie. All of that said, it is a beautiful piano-driven ballad that at once captures loneliness and a complete willingness on the part of the songs narrator to unfold and release himself to the trusting arms of another. 23. On a Tuesday in Amsterdam Long Ago Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings I think of this song a bit like a poor mans Raining In Baltimore. The thing is that Baltimore is a such a good song that even a poor mans version is perfectly worth listening to. Its Counting Crows at the bands most down-trodden and melodramatic with a tragic refrain of the narrator pleading, come back to me. Its haunting. Its beautiful. 22. Baby Im a Big Star Now Rounders: Motion Picture Soundtrack This is a pretty infectious song, released as a hidden track on the vinyl version of This Desert Life and, more prominently on the Rounders soundtrack. It revisits Crows themes of disillusionment and self-loathing, with the catchiest of hooks that suggests an undercurrent of optimism and continuing to try. 21. Come Around Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings I remember listening to this track along a road trip to see my friends for the time in months after I first moved to Baltimore. The song perfectly encapsulates the spirit a reunionthe idea that old friends and family will find a way to come back around to each other, surviving all manner of short-term relationships and other pursuits. Sure, theres an underlying tone of abandonment and heartache to lyrics like, What I know is, shes going. When you know it, its all right. So you put yourself between you and your pride. Just the same, the song has more of the trappings of recovery than misery, and as such functions as an excellent track to close an album. 20. Have You Seen Me Lately Recovering the Satellites Throughout this countdown I refer to the narratora term that my background in writing workshops and literature classrooms has driven into my skull, demanding that the consumer never assume the author speaks for herself. That said, Duritz has been pretty open about the autobiographical nature of Recovering the Satellites (not altogether different from the bands other albums). The dynamic is particularly true of this song, a meditation on exploding from artist to superstar based on the commercial success of August and Everything After . and trying to decipher real relationships from faux ones real identity from public persona. On top of all of that, its a kickass rock song that subverts the expectations set by the songs that immediately surround it. 19. Holiday in Spain Hard Candy This whimsical, but downtrodden piece about a narrator retreating from a stark reality to an exotic location ostensibly caps Hard Candy (excluding the hidden track cover of Big Yellow Taxi). One of the sensations this band and particularly this song captures with pure artistry is the sense of keeping busy, keeping up appearances, and trying to stay cool when all the while you know your life is in shambles. For me, this is a song about attempting to recover, and just the same acknowledging that the flying away to someone new is part of cycle, not an elixir in and of itself. 18. Sullivan Street August and Everything After The debut album from Counting Crows is full of heartbreaking music. This conflicted song is all about the desperation that comes with a relationship falling apartthat uncomfortable period in which youre still together, but know that it will be over before long. From what Ive heard, Duritz wrote the song when he was in the habit of driving a girlfriend home, but the lyrics double up with the sensation of fighting a losing battledoing drivebys past an ex-lovers place with no real reason for doing so, no intention of stopping in. 17. Up All Night Hard Candy To me, this was the sweetest surprise of the Hard Candy album, a song that starts melancholy and lonesome that keys into feel like a late-night adventure, albeit one for which the narrator may still be forlorn. Indeed, Duritz ostensibly sounds as though he cant sleep for his dreams having slipped away. He acknowledges its too late to get high, in the same breath observing that his sleepless night may well give way to a cycle of sleeping through the daylight hours. The song seamlessly weaves together sensations of a partying and sex with disillusionment and disappointment, all against a backdrop of booming piano chords. 16. Hard Candy Hard Candy The title track of its album is all about memoriesstudying old photographs, remembering the best parts of a relationship past. The imagery of a girl standing by the water as a smile begins to curl and the evenings on Long Island when the colors start to fade always grab me when Im listening to this songwe may not all of have quite the same memories, but I reckon every one of us has specific people, signature landscapes, and moments that make us smile and sigh and reflect in all of the happiest and most gut-wrenching ways imaginable. 15. Catapult Recovering the Satellites This opening track is certainly off beat. It starts out with dreamy a quality before a solitary electric guitar chord shakes up the scene, crystallizes the vision, and stirs the listener to wakefulness. The song encapsulates longing, fear of abandonment, self-realization and so many other themes of the album that it functions something like a de facto overture. Ironically, its a song that I think listeners tend to overlook for such a loaded album to follow, but regardless, it is not a track for any serious listener to sleep on. 14. Hanginaround This Desert Life I know plenty of Crows fans tend to look down on this song as lightweight and uninspired. I think the lack of doom and gloom makes this song all the more special to me, thoughdespite the undercurrent of hanging around too long, theres also an unapologetic air about this song. Its not quite a party song, but more so a chill piece about hanging out with friends with nowhere to go, nothing to do, and little interest in changing all of that. Moreover, the song is smarter than folks may give it credit for, recorded using looping techniques that repeat the drum and guitar riff over and over again in a song about hanging around the same place. 13. Round Here August and Everything After The opening flicker of an electric guitar and lyrics about stepping out the front door at the beginning of this song function as an iconic introduction to the Counting Crows catalogthe first track on the groups first studio album. The song proceeds to take listeners along an emotional roller coaster about coming of age and disillusionment. The song most truly comes to life on the positively electric bridge segment about the girl in the car in the parking lot who says man, you should try to take a shot. The song comes full circle with a soft outro for which the instrumentation falls away to leave the narrator all alone, just like he started. 12. Angels of the Silences Recovering the Satellites For me this has always been a song about wanting to believe, and I love the choice for it to be an upbeat rocker, bursting with youthful energy. The sentiment that, all my sins, I said that I would pay for them if I could come back to you, is a perfect encapsulation of bargaining and the desperation to hold onto something thats already gone. Moreover, I appreciate the songs vacillation between bitterness, regret, desire, philosophy, and crises of faithperfectly conflicted and perfectly complete. 11. Miami Hard Candy I love the economy of this song. It, at once, has the mellow easy feel of a vacation song, but just the same, an undercurrent of longing for Duritzs angel who wont return his calls, and the borderline epic feel of a heros journey in the triumphant closing lines about shutting it down in New Orleans. The song also has its double meaning embedded in the title, with Miami purportedly equating to my Amy, a frequent Crows muse, and a brilliant way of showing the way in which a person and a place can be become one in a persons memories. 10. Rain King August and Everything After No doubt, Rain King charts as one of Counting Crows most recognizable songs, and fittingly so. In its original recording, despite bits of doubt and discontent, it nonetheless sounds like a carefree, rocking pop song. Moreover, Duritz has talked about the song in the context of an artists statementa song about being an artist and all the disparate pieces of a life that come together to manifest in the form of self-expression through music and writing. The song also accounts for the intrinsic sense of deserving morethe sensation that the artists work is worth more than hes getting credit for at this point. The closing exclamation of yeah, registers as something akin to Duritzs barbaric yawp. While Im focusing on original recordings, its also worth noting this song as the one the Crows may have reinvented more than any other on the live stage, and used as a portal to cover many, many other songs. 9. Good Night Elisabeth Recovering the Satellites Its difficult for me to separate this song from Rain King, for its most iconic line at the climax of the song. Theres a sparseness to this song that, for me, has always encapsulated loneliness, or perhaps more precisely the feeling of missing a specific person. The song portrays Duritzs lullaby to a lover he lost when he was on the road. The final verse in particular captures him in a phase of simultaneous acceptance and complete denial of his circumstances. Hes accepted he wont be with Elisabeth and readies himself to sleep with someone else, all the while thinking of, waiting for his true love. Its a beautiful, tragic, and very real song. 8. Mrs. Potters Lullaby This Desert Life This elaborate dreamscape of a seven-minute song probably never should have been released as a singlefar too long, thoughtful, and abstract for a top 40 audience. Duritz reportedly wrote the song as an ode to an actress, hence the references to singing to someone on a TV or movie screen and imploring her to come meet him he his framed the song as introducing himself, by way of encapsulating everything going on his mind. Lines like theres a piece of Maria in every song that I sing, speak to the roots of a writerthe people and the concepts that inform everything he does. Moreover, the song somehow manages to connect all of these disparate, abstract vignettes into one epic, greater whole. Its an unforgettable memoir of a song. 7. A Long December Recovering the Satellites Though I tend to think of Counting Crows signature sound as skewing melancholy, a disproportionate number of the bands singles are upbeat pop songs. This is one of the most prominent exceptions, probably the bands second most famous song after Mr. Jones and one of their most melancholy numbers. Its a song about everything going wrong, spending long nights in hospitals at the end of a cruddy year. And, just the same, its a song of remembering better times, like when all at once you look across a crowded room and see the way that light attaches to a girl. Better yet, theres the closing sentiment of getting out to see the ocean, which carries the suggestion of rediscovering the things that used to make the narrator happy. I listened to this track on repeat in my earbuds, walking alone, my very first time setting foot in the Pacific Ocean four years ago. 6. Raining in Baltimore August and Everything After When I first heard August and Everything After at the ripe age of 10, I remember being struck by it. It was tragic, and as such it was beautiful. Before I had experienced any real sense of heartache or loss in my own life, I instinctively embraced this song about being so far away from the person you love that it actively hurts. This song took on another level of meaning for me when I moved to Baltimore, closer to three hundred than three thousand miles from the people I knew and my girlfriend at the time, but nonetheless recognized so many of the sentiments of the song, perhaps on an altogether too literal level. As time has gone by, Ive developed a greater appreciation for a handful of Crows songs that I feel encompass not only sadness, but an additional layer of conflict and redemption. Just the same, the song remains a key teacher in my emotional education and a track that still holds up after all these years. 5. St. Robinson in his Cadillac Dream This Desert Life Excluding the hidden track at the end of the CD, St. Robinson wraps up This Desert Life and certainly fits as a closing numbercomplex, epic, and endlessly narrative. Its a song about dreaming and all the things that get between everyday people and all of the things they want for themselves. The song clicks on a whole new level for me on the devil-may-care FU to normalcy in the closing movements of the song, when Duritz retorts to whoever dare challenge him, there are people who will say that they knew me so well I may not go to heavenI hope you go to hell. The song ends on a delicious slice of Americana, the narrator inviting his lover get into his car, not to head toward any specific destination, but rather just to drive . 4. A Murder of One August and Everything After This is the epic, lovely, desperate, heartbreaking, rise-from-the-ashes finale of Counting Crows first studio album, and it is a masterpiece. The song is often misinterpreted as, in some way, being about homicide, and Duritz may well have been playing with that idea in a song ostensibly about an abusive relationship and urging someone not to waste her life. Just the same the song also seems to be about flock of crowsa murderand all the more interesting for the title suggesting a flock of just one. Like so many of my favorite songs, this one resonates me on a personal level. I remember listening to those gritted-teeth lyrics, Does he tell you when youre sorry Does he tell you when youre wrong as a junior high kid and thinking about the way my father controlled me and tried to tell me what was right or wrong from the perspective his aberrant and misguided sense of morality and prioritization. And I remember thinking of being feathered by moonlight as walking free and even taking flight. Counting Crows is often at its best on deeply conflicted song and this song nails so many emotions around confinement and freedom. I love it. 3. Recovering the Satellites Recovering the Satellites For me, this is a song about rediscovering oneself and the realization that time is fleeting. Duritz sings about getting back to basics and staring at the sky in a way that feels very small town to mebut maybe thats my small town upbringing and recollections of my first encounters with this song that inform that interpretation, and the reference to this angel town suggests it might have been written about Los Angeles, where other Crows songs from this era are set. Regardless, theres a sense of inevitable loss and yearning to the song, particularly in my favorite lyric: we only stay in orbit for a moment of time. And youre everybodys satelliteI wish that you were mine. 2. Anna Begins August and Everything After Duritz inked this song in remembrance of a love affair he engaged in, backpacking through Europe in his youth. In my totally subjective opinion, its the most beautiful love song ever written. I can take or leave most of the verses, but each chorus pulls at my heart strings to truly profound effectthe sentiment of falling in love for every minor gesture a woman might make, such as sneezing the idea of lovers understanding each others every nonsense-sleep-talking mumbled syllable. Perhaps the song is a bit melodramatic, but as such it captures young love and infatuation in strikingly earnest ways. 1. Mr. Jones August and Everything After For all of my self-professed modesty and focus cast on the craft of my art as opposed to recognition, I cant deny the impulse to strive toward fame and fortune. The American Dream is engrained in me like so many of my contemporaries and those who came before me, indoctrinated in a culture of self-betterment and boot strapping, and the implicit suggestion that celebrity is the natural and inherently desirable reward of all that hard work. The song is about seeking celebrity without a concrete sense of why youre doing so, and the companion amorphous desires for love and companionship and influence, all couched with in the setting of San Francisco dive bar, making bold claims with a drinking buddy whilst watching a flamenco dancer strut her stuff. Mr. Jones is nothing short of a portrait of a generationa song all about dreams and desires that closes on the sorrowful, unspoken recognition that the narrator may never achieve his lofty goals. Read stories and miscellaneous criticism from Mike Chin at his website and his thoughts on a cappella music at The A Cappella Blog. Follow him on Twitter miketchin. Check out more articles on BuzzFeed